Map of Scotland showing where the Monroe arms are recorded
The Monroe 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 Monroe 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 Monroe Family in Scotland
The surname Monroe is deeply rooted in the Gaelic language and carries a meaning related to the mouth of the River Roe in County Derry, Ireland. While the family is most famously associated with the Scottish Highlands, their presence in urban centers like Edinburgh by the mid-eighteenth century highlights their transition from traditional clan life to the professional and academic circles of the Scottish Enlightenment. By 1748, individuals bearing the name were well-established in the capital, often participating in the city's growing medical and legal communities. This migration reflected a broader trend of Highland families moving into lowland cities to seek new opportunities in trade, education, and government service. The name evolved through various spellings over the centuries, yet it remained a strong identifier for those who traced their heritage back to the rugged landscapes of the north.
Monroe Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Bun Roth
Gaelic for mouth of the river
This name
MonroeRefers to a person who originated from the mouth of the River Roe.
also spelled
Monroe
Munro
Monro
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
National Records of Scotland. Edinburgh Register of Testaments. 1748
Way of Plean, George and Squire, Romilly. Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. 1994
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martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
