Murdoch Coats of Arms

The nation of Scotland has a well regulated system of heraldry administered by The Lord Lyon King of Arms. The use of Arms in Scotland began in the 12thC however the Lord Lyon's office has it's roots at the court of the ancient Kings of Scots. A Lyon is known to have been given the rank of Knight in 1318 by Robert the Bruce. In 1672 formal ratification and recording began for all Arms used in Scotland.

A Coat of Arms in Scotland is personal and only the owner has the right to use it. There is no such thing as a clan or family Coat of Arms despite what might be suggested widely. People of the same surname who have Arms are expected to use heraldic symbols associated with that family. Personally, I don't see why you can't celebrate your name's heritage by displaying the Arms of one it's more influencial members from the past. A number of variations of Coats of Arms and Mottos for Murdoch appear in the literature on the subject. These are the Arms of various Murdochs at different times.

The common theme of arrows and ravens apply to all. Read the story of The Ravens on Murdoch arms.
 

This wonderful example was very kindly made for me by Don Smith of Heraldic Graphics. Who tells me ... "the blazon (a description in heraldic language) makes varied references to the birds. In the book dated 1842, The General Armory of England Scotland and Wales by Sir Bernard Burke, the blazon for a Murdoch from Rosshall, co. Renfrew 1779 quotes 'over all two black crows pendent on an arrow'. In the book Armorial Families by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies dated 1899 (third edition) the arms of Charles Townshend Murdoch, (MP for Reading1885-1892) it quotes 'two ravens hanging palewise (upright) sable (black), transfixed by one arrow through both heads fessways ppr (horizontally and in its proper colours)'.

I have been told that this coat of arms appears in The World Book of Murdochs by Halbert's Family Heritage. The motto is Omnine Secundo meaning "Under favourable auspices". An alternative motto Omnia Pro Bono meaning "All things for the good" has also been reported to me. Download this Murdoch Arms as wallpaper bitmap, but you must never paint it on your shield and ride into battle with it!