Map of Scotland showing where the Morrow arms are recorded
The Morrow 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 Morrow 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 Morrow Family in Scotland
The surname Morrow has deep roots in the British Isles, with its origins often linked to the Gaelic term "murrach," which translates to a person who lives by the sea. While the name appears in various regions, the family established a notable presence in Edinburgh by 1748. During this period, Edinburgh was a bustling center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Morrows were often involved in the city’s growing trade and professional sectors. The name likely evolved as families moved from rural coastal areas into urban centers, adapting their traditional Gaelic identity to fit the changing social landscape of eighteenth-century Scotland. By settling in a major city like Edinburgh, these early ancestors were part of a significant shift in Scottish history as the nation moved toward modernization and increased economic activity.
Morrow Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Murchadh
Gaelic for sea warrior or sea battler.
This name
MorrowDerived from a Scottish topographical location or a patronymic reference to a sea-faring ancestor.
also spelled
Morro
Morraw
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. Old Parish Registers, Births and Baptisms. 1748
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
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
