A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Girven family of Scotland.
Reg. 6245 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. three salmon naiant fesseways in pale ar”
ScotlandAchairne, c. 1770
Where the Girven Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Girven arms are recorded
The Girven arms were recorded in Achairne, c. 1770.
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 III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in Scotland when the Girven 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 Girven Family in Scotland
The family name Girven has deep roots in the historical records of Scotland, particularly within the bustling city of Edinburgh during the late 18th century. By 1770, members of the Girven family were already established as part of the urban fabric of the capital, living during a time of great intellectual and architectural growth known as the Scottish Enlightenment. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older Gaelic or topographical surnames that evolved as families moved from rural areas into growing city centers. Because Edinburgh served as a major hub for trade and craftsmanship, early Girvens likely worked as skilled laborers or merchants who contributed to the expansion of the city. While the name remains relatively rare, its presence in official city registers from this era highlights a family that was well-integrated into the social and economic life of Scotland long before the modern age.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gervasius
Derived from the Latin word for spear or servant.
This name
GirvenA Scottish locational or patronymic surname likely signifying a spearman or servant.
also spelled
Girven
Girvin
Gyrvan
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers of Edinburgh, 1770
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
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fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
