A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Murchison family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0746 · Britain, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
pine coneLife and fertility
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au lion de sa., acc. en chef de deux pommes de pin de sin. et en p. d'une coquille d'azur. C.: une main de carn., tenant une couronne à trois fleurons d'or. D.: IMPAVIDO PECTORE (Armes de sir Roderick Impey Murchison, géologue célèbre.)”
Britainc. 1866
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Map of Britain showing where the Murchison arms are recorded
The Murchison arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1866.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in Britain when the Murchison arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Murchison Family in Britain
The Murchison surname is deeply rooted in the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, where it originated as a patronymic name meaning son of Murdoch. While the name is famously associated with the Gaelic-speaking clans of the west coast of Scotland, members of the family gradually migrated across Britain as trade and industry expanded during the nineteenth century. By 1866, records confirm that branches of the family had established a presence in Kent, reflecting a broader pattern of internal migration where families moved from rural northern regions toward the economic hubs of southern England. This transition marked a shift from the traditional clan-based identity of the Highlands to the more urbanized and professional life found in the English counties. As the family settled into these new communities, they contributed to the local workforce and social fabric of Victorian Britain, bridging the gap between their ancient Celtic origins and the changing landscape of the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Or, a lion ramp. sa. betw. two pine-apples in chief vert and an escallop in base az”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Murchison arms are recorded
The Murchison 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 Britain when the Murchison 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 Murchison Family in Scotland
The Murchison family name finds its roots in the rugged landscape of the Scottish Highlands, where it originated as a Gaelic patronymic meaning son of Murdoch. While the name is deeply connected to the western regions and the Isle of Skye, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the capital city of Edinburgh by 1748. During this period, the family began to transition from their traditional Highland ties toward the professional and intellectual circles of the Lowlands. This shift reflects a broader movement in Scottish history where families moved from rural clan structures into the urban centers that were fueling the Scottish Enlightenment. By settling in Edinburgh, the Murchisons integrated into a society that valued education, law, and medicine, setting the stage for their future influence in both Scotland and the wider British Empire.
Murchison Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Murchadh
Gaelic for sea warrior or sea battler.
This name
MurchisonSon of the sea warrior, originating from the Scottish Highlands.
also spelled
Murcheson
Murchieson
Murchissone
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
The National Archives, UK. Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861 and 1871
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
pine coneLife and fertility
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
lionCourage, strength and royalty
pine coneLife and fertility
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
