Map of Scotland showing where the Parody arms are recorded
The Parody 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 Parody 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 Parody Family in Scotland
The surname Parody carries a distinct history that likely traces its roots to the bustling urban environment of eighteenth-century Scotland. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established residents of Edinburgh by 1748, a time when the city was undergoing significant social and architectural expansion. While the name itself is often associated with linguistic play, its presence in the Scottish capital suggests that the early Parody family were likely part of the growing professional or merchant classes who supported the city’s vibrant trade networks. These early settlers navigated a period of intense cultural transition in Scotland, contributing to the local economy and community life during the mid-1700s. By settling in a major center like Edinburgh, the family became part of the city’s long tradition of diverse surnames that helped shape its unique character.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Paradis
Derived from the Old French word for a park or garden.
This name
ParodyA locational surname referring to someone who lived near a park or enclosed garden.
also spelled
Pardey
Pardie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers of Births and Baptisms, 1748
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Burgh 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
