Map of Scotland showing where the Herries arms are recorded
The Herries 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 Herries 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 Herries Family in Scotland
The surname Herries is deeply rooted in the history of the Scottish Lowlands, where it emerged as a prominent name associated with the region of Dumfriesshire. While the family established a significant presence in Edinburgh by 1748, their origins trace back much further to the medieval period. The name is often linked to the lands of Terregles, which served as a primary seat for the family for several centuries. Early members of the family were influential figures in Scottish society, often serving as landowners and local administrators who played active roles in the political life of the kingdom. As the family expanded, they moved into major urban centers like Edinburgh, where they integrated into the professional and merchant classes of the eighteenth century. This transition from rural landholders to city residents reflects the broader social changes occurring in Scotland during that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hari
An ancient Germanic term referring to an army or a host.
This name
HerriesDerived from a locative name referring to someone from the town of Herries in France.
also spelled
Heris
Herris
Herys
Related arms
Herisvariant spelling
Herraysvariant spelling
Herrisvariant spelling
Allanrecorded with Herries, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Balfour Paul, James. The Scots Peerage. 1907
National Records of Scotland. Register of Testaments. 1748
National Records of Scotland. Edinburgh Commissary Court. 1748
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