A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Moncrieff family of Scotland.
Reg. 6614 · Scottish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bordureA difference between branches of one family
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. a pheon az. betw. three lions' heads erased gu.; 2nd and 3rd, ar. a lion ramp. gu. a chief erm. all within a bordure engr. az”
ScotlandRynd, c. 1771
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Scotland showing where the Moncrieff arms are recorded
The Moncrieff arms were recorded in Rynd, c. 1771.
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 III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in Scotland when the Moncrieff 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 Moncrieff Family in Scotland
The surname Moncrieff originates from a specific place in the Perthshire region of Scotland. The name is derived from the Gaelic words for a ridge and a hill, which describes the landscape where the family first established their home. By the eighteenth century, the family had expanded their influence well beyond their ancestral lands. Records confirm that members of the Moncrieff family were well-established residents of Edinburgh by 1771. During this period, they were active participants in the intellectual and social life of the city. Their presence in the capital city highlights the family's transition from rural landowners to prominent figures in Scottish urban society.
Moncrieff Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Monadh Craoibhe
Gaelic for hill of the tree or ridge of the tree.
This name
MoncrieffRefers to a specific location in Perthshire, Scotland, denoting a hill associated with a prominent tree.
also spelled
Moncreiff
Moncreiffe
Related arms
Moncreiffvariant spelling
Moncreiffevariant spelling
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, Register of Testaments, 1771
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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bordureA difference between branches of one family
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bordureA difference between branches of one family
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
