Map of Scotland showing where the Moorhead arms are recorded
The Moorhead arms were recorded in Stirling, c. 1718.
Stirling guarded the crossing between the Highlands and the Lowlands and held a royal castle. Families with business at court settled nearby, and closeness to the court brought 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 Scotland in this period.
George I of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George I of Great Britain
1714–1727
Reigning in Scotland when the Moorhead 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 Stirling.
Origin & History of the Moorhead Family in Scotland
The surname Moorhead is a topographical name that originated in Scotland, serving as a descriptive label for families who lived near the head of a moor or a stretch of open, uncultivated land. By the early 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in Stirling, a town of great strategic importance due to its position as a gateway between the Scottish Lowlands and the Highlands. Records confirm that members of the Moorhead family were living in Stirling by 1718, likely working as tradespeople or farmers in the surrounding countryside. During this period, the family would have been deeply influenced by the local culture and the turbulent political climate of post-Union Scotland. As they integrated into the community, they contributed to the local economy and social structure of the region, eventually spreading across the British Isles and beyond as generations moved to seek new opportunities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mor-heafod
Old English terms for a boundary or marsh and a headland.
This name
MoorheadRefers to someone who lived near a headland or a marshy boundary.
also spelled
Moorhead
Muirhead
Murehead
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, Stirling Presbytery Records, CH2/722
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
