Map of Scotland showing where the Gilmour arms are recorded
The Gilmour arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1689.
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.
Mary II of England
Sovereign of the period
Mary II of England
1689–1694
Reigning in Scotland when the Gilmour 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 Edinburgh.
Origin & History of the Gilmour Family in Scotland
The surname Gilmour has deep roots in Scotland and is derived from the Gaelic phrase "Gille Moire," which translates to "servant of Mary." This name was often given to individuals who held a strong religious devotion or served the church in some capacity. By the late 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, a period marked by significant political and social change in Scotland. During the year 1689, the city was at the center of the Glorious Revolution, which saw the transition of the British throne and the eventual stabilization of the Scottish government. Families like the Gilmours living in Edinburgh at this time were likely involved in the professional or merchant classes that helped the city grow into a major center for law and trade. Over time, the name spread from these urban beginnings across the Scottish Lowlands, becoming a well-recognized part of the nation's cultural history.
Gilmour Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Gille Moire
Gaelic for servant or devotee of the Virgin Mary.
This name
GilmourA Scottish surname denoting a follower or dedicated servant of the Virgin Mary.
also spelled
Gilmore
Gylmour
Gylmore
Related arms
Underhillsimilar arms
Littlerecorded with Gilmour, same area
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. Register of Testaments, Edinburgh Commissariot. 1689
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
