A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goudie family of Scotland.
Reg. 4345 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
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)
“Ar. a chev. betw. two trefoils slipped in”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Goudie Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Goudie arms are recorded
The Goudie 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 Goudie 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 Goudie Family in Scotland
The surname Goudie is primarily of Scottish origin and is often linked to the Gaelic word guda, which describes a person with a good or pleasant nature. While the name appears in various parts of Scotland, historical records confirm that members of the Goudie family were well established in Edinburgh by 1748. During this period, Edinburgh was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, and families like the Goudies were often involved in the city’s expanding craft and merchant guilds. The name likely evolved from a descriptive nickname into a permanent family identifier as people moved into urban areas and required formal surnames for legal and tax purposes. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had integrated into the social fabric of the capital, contributing to the local community during a time of significant cultural change in Scotland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gode
Old English or Old Norse term meaning good or god.
This name
GoudieA locational or descriptive surname likely referring to a good person or a descendant of someone named Godi.
also spelled
Goudy
Gowdie
Gowdy
Related arms
Gowdievariant spelling
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, 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
