Map of Scotland showing where the Laurie arms are recorded
The Laurie arms were recorded in Dumfries, c. 1748.
Dumfriesshire was Scottish border country facing England across a disputed line. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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 Laurie 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 Dumfries.
Origin & History of the Laurie Family in Scotland
The family name Laurie has deep roots in the southern regions of Scotland, particularly within the historic county of Dumfriesshire. While the name is often associated with the Gaelic term *labhraidh*, meaning a spokesman or orator, the family established a significant presence in the town of Dumfries by the mid-eighteenth century. During this era, the region was a bustling hub for trade and agriculture, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow. By 1748, the Lauries were well-integrated into the local community, participating in the social and economic life of the Scottish Lowlands. Their history reflects the broader patterns of Scottish migration and clan development, where families often clustered in specific geographic areas to maintain strong ties to the land and to one another. Over time, the name became synonymous with the character of the Dumfries area, marking the family as a stable and influential part of the local population during a period of great change in Scottish history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Laurentius
Derived from the Latin word for the laurel tree or crown.
This name
LaurieA Scottish diminutive form of Lawrence, signifying one crowned with laurel leaves.
also spelled
Lawrie
Lowrie
Related arms
Lawrievariant spelling
Lourievariant spelling
Lowryvariant spelling
Mackenzierecorded with Laurie, same area
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
Johnston, James B., Place-Names of Scotland, 1934
National Records of Scotland, Dumfries Burgh Records, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
branchPeace, and new growth
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
branchPeace, and new growth
