Map of Scotland showing where the Roddy arms are recorded
The Roddy arms were recorded in Liverpool, 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 Roddy 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 Roddy Family in Scotland
The family name Roddy carries a rich history that is deeply rooted in the Gaelic traditions of Ireland and Scotland. The name is an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Ó Rodaigh, which translates to a descendant of the spirited or red one. By the mid-eighteenth century, members of the family had established a presence in the bustling city of Edinburgh. Records confirm their residence there as early as 1748, suggesting that these ancestors were likely part of the wave of migration that moved between the Irish Sea and the Scottish Lowlands during this period. As they settled into urban life in Scotland, the family adapted to the changing social landscape while maintaining the linguistic heritage of their ancestors. This transition from rural Gaelic roots to the industrializing environment of Edinburgh highlights the resilience and mobility of the family during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Roderick
Derived from the Germanic elements meaning famous ruler.
This name
RoddyA Scottish patronymic surname signifying son of the famous ruler.
also spelled
Rody
Roddy
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. Edinburgh Register of Marriages, 1748. OPR 685/1
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
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
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
branchPeace, and new growth
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
branchPeace, and new growth
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
