A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Moodie family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5576 · Scottish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
fireZeal and purification
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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, az. three ships in full sail ar. on a chief wavy gu. a beacon or; 2nd and 3rd, az. a chev. erm. betw. three pheons ar. in chief a hunting-horn or”
ScotlandMelsetter, c. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Moodie arms are recorded
The Moodie arms were recorded in Melsetter, 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 Moodie 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 Moodie Family in Scotland
The surname Moodie has deep roots in the northern regions of Scotland, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person with a bold or spirited temperament. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, a city that served as the intellectual and administrative heart of the country. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Moodie family were active participants in the urban life of the Scottish capital during a time of significant social change. As the family integrated into the bustling environment of Edinburgh, they became part of the growing professional and merchant classes that helped shape the city’s development. Their history reflects the broader movement of families from rural areas into the centers of trade and government that defined Scotland during the Enlightenment.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a chev. betw. three trefoils sa. a chief of the last”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Moodie arms are recorded
The Moodie arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Scotland when the Moodie arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Moodie Family in England
The family name Moodie has deep roots in Northern England, with historical evidence placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, the name was often associated with individuals who possessed a bold or spirited temperament, as the word itself is derived from the Old English term *modig*, meaning brave or courageous. In the bustling urban environment of York, families with this name were likely involved in the local trade guilds and the growing merchant class that defined the city’s economy during the Stuart period. As the family established itself in the region, they became part of the social fabric of Northern England, contributing to the local community through their work and daily interactions. While the name eventually spread to other parts of the British Isles, the early presence of the Moodies in York highlights their long-standing connection to the history and development of English society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Modi
Old Norse name meaning brave or courageous.
This name
MoodieA Scottish surname derived from a nickname for a bold or spirited person.
also spelled
Moody
Mudie
Moodye
Related arms
Moodyvariant spelling
Moodyevariant spelling
Mudievariant spelling
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 Sasines, 1748
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
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
fireZeal and purification
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
fireZeal and purification
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
