Map of Scotland showing where the Norville arms are recorded
The Norville 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 Norville 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 Norville Family in Scotland
The surname Norville is primarily associated with the Lowlands of Scotland, where it emerged as a localized variation of names linked to northern towns or estates. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in Edinburgh, a city that served as a vital hub for trade and professional life during the Scottish Enlightenment. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Norville family were active participants in the social and economic fabric of the capital during this period of rapid urban growth. As the city expanded beyond its ancient walls, families like the Norvilles often found opportunities in the legal, mercantile, and craft sectors that defined the era. Their residence in Edinburgh suggests that they were part of the growing middle class that helped shape the city into a center of intellectual and commercial activity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Northville
A settlement located in the northern part of a territory.
This name
NorvilleDerived from a topographic location indicating a town situated to the north.
also spelled
Norvill
Norville
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Testaments, CC8/8/112
National Records of Scotland, Register of Marriages for the City of Edinburgh, OPR 685/1
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
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
