Map of Scotland showing where the Greer arms are recorded
The Greer 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 Greer 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 Greer Family in Scotland
The surname Greer is a shortened form of the name MacGregor, which originates from the Scottish Gaelic name Mac Griogair. This name translates to son of Gregory, a title that links the family to the ancient Clan Gregor of the Scottish Highlands. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, many members of the clan moved away from their traditional Highland territories and settled in urban centers like Edinburgh. By 1748, families bearing the name were well-established in the capital city, where they integrated into the growing professional and merchant classes. This migration was often a result of political changes and the need for new economic opportunities outside of the clan system. Over time, the spelling shifted from the longer Gaelic version to the simpler form of Greer as the family became more settled in lowland society.
Greer Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Gregor
Derived from the Greek word meaning alert, watchful, or vigilant.
This name
GreerA Scottish surname originating as a shortened form of the name Gregory, signifying a watchful or vigilant person.
also spelled
Grier
Grear
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 Sasines, 1748
Way of Plean, George and Squire, Romilly, Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia, 1994
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
