A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Garth family of Scotland.
Reg. 8915 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Quarterly, per pale and chev. ar. and gu”
ScotlandGalloway, c. 1748
Where the Garth Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Garth arms are recorded
The Garth arms were recorded in Galloway, 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 Garth 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 Garth Family in Scotland
The surname Garth is rooted in the Old Norse word "garthr," which translates to an enclosed space, a yard, or a garden. Historically, this name served as a topographic identifier for people who lived near a fenced-in area or a small piece of cultivated land. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family established a notable presence in Edinburgh, Scotland. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Garth family were active participants in the social and economic life of the city during this era. As Edinburgh grew into a major hub of the Enlightenment, families with this name contributed to the local community through trade and civic engagement. Over time, the name evolved from a simple description of a person’s home into a lasting family legacy that reflects the agricultural and linguistic heritage of Northern Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Garthr
Old Norse word meaning an enclosed space, garden, or yard.
This name
GarthA topographic surname for someone who lived near an enclosed garden or a protective enclosure.
also spelled
Gart
Related arms
Alanrecorded with Garth, same area
Stewartrecorded with Garth, 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
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Testaments, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
