Map of Scotland showing where the Ure arms are recorded
The Ure 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 Ure 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 Ure Family in Scotland
The surname Ure is primarily of Scottish origin and is often linked to the Gaelic word "iubhar," which means yew tree. Historically, families bearing this name were concentrated in the Lowlands of Scotland, particularly around the regions of Stirling and the Lothians. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the Ure family were well-established in Edinburgh. During this period, the city was undergoing a major transformation as it expanded beyond its medieval walls into the New Town. Families like the Ures were part of this growing urban society, often working as skilled tradespeople, merchants, or professionals who helped shape the city’s economic life. Their presence in Edinburgh by 1748 reflects a broader trend of families moving into the capital to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Scottish Enlightenment and the city's increasing commercial importance.
Ure Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Iubhar
Gaelic term referring to the yew tree.
This name
UreDerived from a topographic location associated with yew trees or a person living near them.
also spelled
Urie
Ury
Related arms
Urievariant 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. General Register of Sasines, Edinburgh. Series RS27
National Records of Scotland. Old Parish Registers, Edinburgh. Series OPR 685/1
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