Map of Scotland showing where the Woodburn arms are recorded
The Woodburn 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 Woodburn 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 Woodburn Family in Scotland
The name Woodburn is a topographic surname, which means it was originally given to people who lived near a specific natural landmark. The name is derived from the Old English words for a wood and a burn, which is the Scottish term for a stream. This suggests that the earliest members of the family likely settled near a wooded creek or a forest stream. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh. Records from 1748 confirm that individuals bearing the name were active in the city during this period of significant urban growth. As the family grew, they became part of the local history of Scotland’s capital, contributing to the professional and social life of the region as the country transitioned into the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wudu and Burna
Old English terms for wood or forest and a flowing stream.
This name
WoodburnA locational surname referring to someone who lived near a stream running through a wooded area.
also spelled
Woodbourne
Related arms
Woodbournevariant 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. Edinburgh Register of Testaments, CC8/8/111
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