Map of Scotland showing where the Lithgow arms are recorded
The Lithgow arms were recorded in Drygrange, 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 Lithgow 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 Lithgow Family in Scotland
The surname Lithgow is a locational name that originates from the town of Linlithgow in West Lothian, Scotland. The name itself is derived from the Brittonic language, likely meaning a damp or wet hollow. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, a city that served as a major hub for commerce and intellectual growth during the Scottish Enlightenment. Records from 1748 confirm that individuals bearing this name were active participants in the urban life of the capital, working within the city's expanding trades and professional circles. As the family settled into the social fabric of Edinburgh, they became part of the broader migration patterns that saw many Scots move from rural areas into the city to pursue new opportunities in law, craftsmanship, and trade.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lith-gow
Derived from the Gaelic words for wet or damp and hollow.
This name
LithgowRefers to a person who originated from the town of Linlithgow in West Lothian.
also spelled
Lythgow
Lithgo
Lythgo
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
Johnston, James B., Place-Names of Scotland, 1934
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
otterOne who lives life to the full
otterOne who lives life to the full
