Map of Scotland showing where the Lowell arms are recorded
The Lowell arms were recorded in Quarlewood, 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 Lowell 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 Lowell Family in Scotland
The surname Lowell has deep roots that stretch back to medieval England and France, evolving from the Old French nickname "Lovel," which translates to "little wolf." By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in Scotland, specifically within the city of Edinburgh. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Lowell family were living and working in this historic capital during a time of significant social and industrial change. As the family settled into the urban landscape of Edinburgh, they became part of the local community, contributing to the city's growth during the Scottish Enlightenment. Over time, the name transitioned from a descriptive nickname into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations of residents in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Loup
Old French word for a wolf.
This name
LowellDerived from a nickname for a person with wolf-like characteristics or a fierce nature.
also spelled
Lowle
Related arms
Lowlevariant spelling
Lavenrecorded with Lowell, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Testaments, 1748
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masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
