Map of Scotland showing where the Torrence arms are recorded
The Torrence 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 Torrence 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 Torrence Family in Scotland
The family name Torrence is rooted in the landscape of Scotland, specifically deriving from the Gaelic word "torran," which means a small hill or a mound. This topographical origin suggests that the earliest ancestors bearing the name likely lived near a prominent local landmark or a specific elevated piece of land. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, as evidenced by records from 1748. During this era, the city was undergoing a period of significant intellectual and social growth known as the Scottish Enlightenment. Families like the Torrences living in Edinburgh at this time were often part of the growing merchant or professional classes who helped shape the urban development of the city. Their presence in the capital indicates that they were well-integrated into the social fabric of Scotland during a time of great historical transition.
Torrence Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Torran
A Gaelic term referring to a small hill or mound.
This name
TorrenceDerived from a Scottish place name meaning dweller by the knoll or hill.
also spelled
Torrance
Torrens
Related arms
Torrancevariant spelling
Torrensvariant spelling
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 of Births and Baptisms: Edinburgh. 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
