A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gowdy family of Scotland.
Reg. 3317 · 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 Gowdy Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Gowdy arms are recorded
The Gowdy 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 Gowdy 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 Gowdy Family in Scotland
The family name Gowdy is primarily rooted in the Lowlands of Scotland, where it emerged as a variation of the name Goudie. Linguists believe the name originates from the Old Norse word gulr, which translates to yellow, and likely served as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor with blonde or golden hair. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in Edinburgh, as evidenced by records from 1748. During this era, the city was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, and families like the Gowdys were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. As the family grew, they contributed to the social fabric of Scotland before many members eventually migrated across the Atlantic to seek new opportunities in North America.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gow
A Gaelic term referring to a blacksmith or metal worker.
This name
GowdyA Scottish locational or occupational surname derived from the smith, signifying one who works with iron.
also spelled
Goudy
Gowdie
Gowdy
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 Marriages, 1701–1800, OPR 685/1
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
