A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Greig family of Scotland.
Reg. 2722 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. three dexter hands couped and disposed bendways ar. two and one, within a bordure engr. of the second”
FifeBallingrie · Fife, c. 1748
Where the Greig Arms Were Recorded
Fife
Map of Scotland showing where the Greig arms are recorded
The Greig arms were recorded in Fife, c. 1748.
Fife was farming country between two firths, with royal palaces and old burghs along its coast. Its landed families were numerous and close to the court, and closeness to the court brought arms.
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 Greig 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 Fife.
Origin & History of the Greig Family in Scotland
The surname Greig is a patronymic name that originates from the medieval personal name Gregor, which is the Scottish form of Gregory. This name was particularly popular in the Highlands and the northeast of Scotland, where it was associated with the Clan MacGregor. Over time, many branches of the family moved south into the lowlands, including the region of Fife. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the Greig family had established a firm presence in Fife, where they integrated into the local agricultural and trade communities. As families settled in these areas, the spelling of the name often shifted from its Gaelic roots to the modern form of Greig, reflecting the linguistic changes occurring across Scotland during that period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gregorius
Derived from the Greek word meaning to be watchful or vigilant.
This name
GreigA Scottish patronymic form of Gregory, signifying a person who is alert and watchful.
also spelled
Gregg
Greg
Related arms
Gregvariant spelling
Greggvariant spelling
Gregoryvariant spelling
Homerecorded with Greig, same area
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. Old Parish Registers, Fife. 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
handFaith, sincerity and justice
bordureA difference between branches of one family
handFaith, sincerity and justice
