A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gillock family of Scotland.
Reg. 8057 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. a lion ramp. ar. on a chief of the second three roses of the first”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Gillock Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Gillock arms are recorded
The Gillock 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 Gillock 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 Gillock Family in Scotland
The family name Gillock is deeply rooted in the history of Scotland, with confirmed records placing the family in Edinburgh as early as 1748. The name is believed to be a variation of the Gaelic term "Gille," which translates to servant or follower, often paired with a secondary name to denote a specific patron or religious devotion. During the mid-18th century, Edinburgh was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, and families like the Gillocks were often involved in the skilled labor and merchant classes that defined the city’s expansion. As the family established their presence in the capital, they became part of the social fabric of the Lowlands, contributing to the local community during a time of significant cultural change in Scotland. Over the following generations, the name spread from these urban origins into various regions, maintaining its distinct Scottish identity through the centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gille
A Gaelic term meaning a servant or a devotee of a saint.
This name
GillockDerived from the servant of Saint Luke, reflecting a religious dedication.
also spelled
Gyllock
Gyllocke
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Parish Registers: Baptisms and Marriages, 1748
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
