Map of Scotland showing where the Wardrobe arms are recorded
The Wardrobe 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 Wardrobe 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 Wardrobe Family in Scotland
The surname Wardrobe is an occupational name that originated in medieval times to describe someone who managed the private chambers or storage areas of a royal or noble household. These individuals were responsible for the care of clothing, bedding, and valuable textiles, which were kept in a secure room known as the wardrobe. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family was well established in Scotland, with records confirming their presence in Edinburgh by 1748. During this period, the name was often associated with skilled tradespeople and merchants who contributed to the growing urban economy of the city. As the family settled into Scottish life, they became part of the local community records, appearing in parish registers and legal documents that track the movement and growth of Edinburgh families during the Enlightenment era.
Wardrobe Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
warderobe
A room or chest used for the storage of garments.
This name
WardrobeAn occupational surname for a keeper of a royal or noble wardrobe.
also spelled
Wardroper
Wardropp
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 Edinburgh, OPR 685/1. 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
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
