The Court of the Lord Lyon

The Court of the Lord Lyon OFFICIAL PAGE: The Court of the Lord Lyon King of Arms is the national heraldic authority for Scotland & Scots abroad.
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The Court of the Lord Lyon King of Arms is the national heraldic authority for Scotland & Scots abroad. The Lord Lyon, in his capacity as a minister of the Crown, is responsible for granting arms to "virtuous and well deserving persons" in the name of HM The Queen. Heraldry is protected by statute in Scotland and arms may only be used if registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon. The Lord Lyon is

also a judge and has the power to fine individuals who misuse arms and to seize and destroy property which bears arms illegally. The Lord Lyon also has the responsibility of recognising the rights of individuals to existing arms, either as the direct heir or as a descendent of the grantee. In the latter circumstance he may matriculate the existing arms with a small change or difference for use by such a person as their own arms. The Lord Lyon is responsible for the recognition of the chiefs of the many Scottish clans. The Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland is maintained by the Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the Records. It contains the description of every coat of arms legally registered in Scotland since 1672 and, in many cases, paintings of those arms. The Lord Lyon is responsible for state ceremony in Scotland and regularly organises events when HM The Queen is in residence at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, during the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and for the proclamation of the dissolution of the Westminster parliament. On such occasions he is attended by HM Officers of Arms. The Lyon Office also contains the Chancery of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Scotland's premier order of chivalry, which is administered by the Order's Secretary, currently also Lyon Clerk. The Lyon Office holds a considerable archive of material about heraldry and the other aspects of its work.

The Lord Lyon attended Newtyle Church, Angus in the Parish of Strathmore to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Sandy Ingr...
01/06/2026

The Lord Lyon attended Newtyle Church, Angus in the Parish of Strathmore to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Sandy Ingram as an Elder of the Kirk. A lifetime of service and faithfulness.

On Tuesday 26 May, the Lord Lyon was pleased to present Letters Patent to John Vernon Dent MBE, son of George Vernon Den...
29/05/2026

On Tuesday 26 May, the Lord Lyon was pleased to present Letters Patent to John Vernon Dent MBE, son of George Vernon Dent MBE, accompanied by his son, John David Vernon Dent MBE, they both enjoyed a tour of the Office and viewed the Public Register of all Arms and Bearings where the arms already reside. The artist is Adel Gaspar.

The blazon is: "Or on a bend Azure three lozenges Ermine in chief two swords in saltire points upwards Proper and in base a jackdaw Proper.

The Lord Lyon has granted arms to Dr Tomas Rohan. The artist is Annette Reed. Blazon: Gules a chevron Ermine between thr...
26/05/2026

The Lord Lyon has granted arms to Dr Tomas Rohan. The artist is Annette Reed.

Blazon: Gules a chevron Ermine between three lozenges Or.

21/05/2026

The Lyon Office will be closed this Friday 22 May for the King’s Official Birthday and also for the following Monday 25 May, which is Spring Break. The office will reopen on Tuesday 26 May.

The Lord Lyon has granted arms to Major Paul Rorie TD. The artist was Gayle Page.
20/05/2026

The Lord Lyon has granted arms to Major Paul Rorie TD. The artist was Gayle Page.

This evening, the Lord Lyon was the guest of the Lord Provost of Glasgow at a dinner held in the City Chambers to mark ...
18/05/2026

This evening, the Lord Lyon was the guest of the Lord Provost of Glasgow at a dinner held in the City Chambers to mark the occasion of The UK Supreme Court sessions in Glasgow. The emblem of the Supreme Court was designed by Yvonne Holton when Herald Painter to the Lyon Court.

The Lord Lyon and Officers of Arms were in attendance on Her Grace the Lord High Commissioner this morning at the Genera...
17/05/2026

The Lord Lyon and Officers of Arms were in attendance on Her Grace the Lord High Commissioner this morning at the General Assembly Service at St Giles.

On the 15th May, the Lord Lyon attended a piano recital by Ethan Loch hosted by Her Grace the Lord High Commissioner at ...
16/05/2026

On the 15th May, the Lord Lyon attended a piano recital by Ethan Loch hosted by Her Grace the Lord High Commissioner at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The Lord Lyon and Officers of Arms were in attendance this morning on Her Grace the Lord High Commissioner at the Openin...
15/05/2026

The Lord Lyon and Officers of Arms were in attendance this morning on Her Grace the Lord High Commissioner at the Opening Ceremony of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Radio 3 tells me today is National Chocolate Chip Day for which we offer the arms of John Stewart Birrell, granted in 19...
15/05/2026

Radio 3 tells me today is National Chocolate Chip Day for which we offer the arms of John Stewart Birrell, granted in 1922, proprietor of a much-loved Glasgow confectioners.
It is said that the shops were so quiet you could hear a pan drop.

Blazon: Per chevron Or and Azure three roundels chequy two and one those in chief of the Second and Argent that in base of the Last and of the Second.

Address

3 West Register Street
Edinburgh
EH13YT

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 12:30pm
2pm - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 12:30pm
2pm - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 12:30pm
2pm - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 12:30pm
2pm - 4pm
Friday 10am - 12:30pm
2pm - 4pm

Telephone

+441315567255

Website

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