The surname Lornie when found in Scotland is of regional origin. Regional surnames stem from place names including rivers, countries, and man made features such as buildings, crossroads and many other objects. A person could be given a name indicating a place which was readily recognised. An individual living near or on a hill would be so designated, perhaps one living or working by a church would have been given the name Church. In this case the name is derived from Lornie (of old Lornyn) a small place about 2Kms from Errol in Tayside.

Scotland, originally known as Caledonia, became known as Scotland during the 11^th century. The Normans reached Scotland as settlers not invaders, soon blending with the local population. With this assimilation came change in the form of customs and laws the Normans brought with them. One major change brought about was the introduction to Scotland of the system of nobility.

Our investigations of the surname Lornie or a variant show that it appears in Scottish documents from at least the 13^th century when Balduins de Lornyn witnessed a charter of ‘Unum rete super matricem aquam de Thei’ by David de Haya to the monks of Cupar, c. 1214-49AD. Also around this time Sir Duncan de Lornyn, a churchman, witnessed a charter by David de Strathbolgy, earl of Athol, c. 1284. More recently Helen Lornie appears in Dundee records in 1609.

BLAZON OF ARMS: Argent three escutcheons gules.
Translation: Argent represents the colours silver or white and indicate harmony and sincerity.

CREST: A Falcon rising proper

MOTTO: Serva jugum
Translation: Keep the yoke

ORIGIN: Scotland

From the Library of Family Surname History