Map of Scotland showing where the Gowrie arms are recorded
The Gowrie 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 Gowrie 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 Gowrie Family in Scotland
The name Gowrie is deeply rooted in the geography of Scotland, originating as a locational surname derived from the ancient province of Gowrie in Perthshire. This region was historically significant as a center of early Scottish power and royal influence. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a presence in the bustling capital of Edinburgh, which was then a major hub for trade, law, and intellectual growth. Families living in Edinburgh during the 1740s often benefited from the city’s rapid expansion and the rise of the Scottish Enlightenment. While the name is tied to the rolling hills and fertile lands of the north, the move to the capital suggests that these early ancestors were likely involved in the professional or merchant classes that defined urban life in 1748.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gabhra
A Gaelic term referring to a goat or a place of goats.
This name
GowrieDerived from the district of Gowrie in Perthshire, signifying a place associated with goats.
also spelled
Gorry
Gory
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 Testaments, 1748
Watson, W. J., The History of the Celtic Place-Names of Scotland, 1926
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
