A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Pumphrey family of Scotland.
Reg. 9114 · Scottish, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a chev. ar. betw. three garbs or”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Pumphrey Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Pumphrey arms are recorded
The Pumphrey 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 Pumphrey 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 Pumphrey Family in Scotland
The surname Pumphrey is believed to have originated as a descriptive name in England, likely evolving from an old place name or a topographical feature near a pump or a well. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, Scotland, as evidenced by records from 1748. During this era, Edinburgh was a center of intellectual growth and rapid urban expansion, which likely attracted families seeking new opportunities in trade or craftsmanship. The movement of the family from southern regions toward the Scottish capital suggests they were part of a mobile population that adapted to the changing social and economic landscapes of Great Britain. Over time, the name became firmly rooted in the local community, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and family development that shaped the history of the British Isles.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pumphrey
Derived from the Old French pommeraie meaning an apple orchard.
This name
PumphreyA topographic name for someone who lived near or worked in an apple orchard.
also spelled
Pumphrey
Pomfret
Pumfry
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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
