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Court of the Lord Lyon

Court of the Lord Lyon
HM New Register House
Edinburgh EH1 3YT
Tel: 0131 556 7255
Fax: 0131 557 2148

The Lord Lyon King of Arms has jurisdiction, subject to appeal to the Court of Session and the House of Lords, on questions of heraldry and the right to bear Arms. The Court administers the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland and the Public Register of All Genealogies and Birthbrieves in Scotland. The Lord Lyon, in his administrative capacity, grants Patents of Arms and, in his judicial role, authorises the Matriculation of existing Armorial Bearings. No Armorial Bearings may be used in Scotland unless they are on record in the Public Register of all Arms and Bearings in Scotland. The Lord Lyon may grant Arms to Scotsmen and women at home and abroad.

The Court does not undertake genealogical research, as the result of such research may be incorporated in a Petition to the Lord Lyon.