Map of Scotland showing where the Whitlow arms are recorded
The Whitlow 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 Whitlow 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 Whitlow Family in Scotland
The surname Whitlow is rooted in the landscape of Northern England and the Scottish Borders. It is a locational name, which means it was originally used to identify people based on the place where they lived. The name is derived from the Old English words "hwit," meaning white, and "hlaw," meaning a hill or a burial mound. This suggests that the earliest families bearing this name likely lived near a prominent white-colored hill or a chalky ridge. By the mid-18th century, members of the family had established a presence in Edinburgh, as evidenced by records from 1748. During this period, the family was part of the growing urban population in Scotland, likely contributing to the city's development as a center for trade and industry. As the family moved across the border, they carried this descriptive name with them, preserving a linguistic link to the geography of their ancestral home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hwita hlaw
Old English for white hill or mound.
This name
WhitlowDerived from a topographical location referring to a white-colored hill or burial mound.
also spelled
Whitelau
Whytelaw
Whytlaw
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
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
