A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Galbreath family of Scotland.
Reg. 4213 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. three bears' heads erased ar. muzzled az”
DumbartonCulcreuch · Dumbarton, c. 1748
Where the Galbreath Arms Were Recorded
Dumbarton
Map of Scotland showing where the Galbreath arms are recorded
The Galbreath arms were recorded in Dumbarton, c. 1748.
Dumbartonshire sat where the Clyde meets the Highlands, guarded by a royal castle. Families held land in return for service, and service in arms brought a shield with it.
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 Galbreath 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 Dumbarton.
Origin & History of the Galbreath Family in Scotland
The surname Galbreath is a variation of the Gaelic name Mac a' Bhreatnaich, which translates to "son of the Briton." This name originated in the medieval period to identify people who lived in the Kingdom of Strathclyde, a region inhabited by the ancient Brythonic-speaking peoples of southern Scotland. Over time, the name evolved into various spellings like Galbraith and Galbreath as it moved from Gaelic into common English usage. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic town of Dumbarton. Located at the confluence of the River Leven and the River Clyde, Dumbarton served as the ancient capital of the Strathclyde Britons, making it a fitting home for a family whose name is deeply rooted in that specific cultural heritage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gall-Breatann
Foreign Briton or stranger of the British people.
This name
GalbreathRefers to a person of Gaelic descent living in a non-Gaelic speaking area.
also spelled
Galbraith
Galbrath
Galbraithe
Related arms
Calbreathvariant spelling
Galbraithvariant spelling
Napierrecorded with Galbreath, same area
Spiersrecorded with Galbreath, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
