A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Darroch family of Scotland.
Reg. 0941 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a chev. betw. three trees vert”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Darroch Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Darroch arms are recorded
The Darroch arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Darroch arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Darroch Family in Scotland
The family name Darroch originates from the Gaelic language, where it is derived from the term *darach*, meaning oak tree. This connection suggests that the earliest ancestors who adopted the name likely lived near a prominent oak forest or were associated with the strength and endurance represented by the tree. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in Edinburgh, as evidenced by records from 1748. During this period, Edinburgh was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, and families like the Darrochs were often integrated into the urban life of the city as skilled tradespeople or merchants. While the name has deep roots in the Scottish Highlands, the move toward major cities like Edinburgh allowed the family to participate in the rapid social and economic changes defining Scotland during the Enlightenment.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Dhorchaidh
Gaelic patronymic meaning son of the dark one.
This name
DarrochDerived from the Gaelic word for dark or black, often referring to a dark-haired person.
also spelled
Darrach
Darrow
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
National Records of Scotland. Edinburgh Register of Sasines, RS27. 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
