A new venture in Scottish Heraldry
The Lord Lyon Society was set up by the present Lord Lyon, Dr Joe Morrow CVO CBE KC FRSE, to support the Court of the Lord Lyon and to further enliven the promotion of Scots Heraldry.
About Us
It is a new venture and its initial activities will be focussed in 2022 around the 350th Anniversary of the founding of the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland.
The Society’s aim is to promote Scots heraldry, genealogy and the related arts, heritage and culture, and to continue to make the Court of the Lord Lyon relevant in our time.
On the 8th November the Lord Lyon was invested by the King in the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
About us
The office of Lord Lyon was first recorded in the 14th century but is regarded as originating in the office of the High Seanchaidh to the Monarchs of Celtic Scotland, who was the Royal Poet and the Keeper of the Royal Genealogy. The current Lord Lyon is Dr Joe Morrow CVO CBE KC FRSE, who was installed as Lord Lyon King of Arms in February 2014
The Lord Lyon Society was set up to give you – our Scottish and international public – access to this unique collection through the digitisation of our archives, for which funds will be raised by the Society.
Photo copyright Army Communications
Where We are
The Court of the Lord Lyon has its home within HM New Register House in a key position just off the East end of Princes Street in Edinburgh.
Within the Office of the Court of the Lord Lyon is held a vast collection of records relating to heraldry, genealogy and Scottish history and spanning several centuries. The Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland was established in 1672 by the Lyon King of Arms Act of the same year. The Register consists of an ever-growing number of volumes – to date there are around 100 volumes.
Our Events
The Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland 350th Anniversary Lectures
The Lord Lyon Society is a fantastic new way of bringing Scottish heraldry to a wider audience. Heraldry is all around us – on buildings, coins, adverts and many other places. The Society will help in bringing a better understanding of the wonderful world of heraldry to everyone – and encourage people to enjoy it and, I hope, to participate in it.
Scott Williamson WS FSA ScotJoin us today
We welcome all new supporters of the Society to celebrate our Scots heritage through heraldry and the collection of records held in the Office of the Court of the Lord Lyon.
Become a Supporter