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History
Coat of Arms
 Following a visit to this historic Abbey by Peter Drummond-Murray of Mastrick, Slains Pursuivant of Arms to the Earl of Errol, Lord High Constable of Scotland, it was suggested that given its rich history (The Abbey) should have its own Coat of Arms.
Dunfermline Abbey`s own Coat of Arms as formally recognised in Service of Celebration on Sunday 20th February 2005.
Edward the Confessor`s Coat of Arms was a cross and martletts in gold against a background of blue.He died without a direct heir and his arms passed without a direct heir to his collateral Margaret, who subsequently became consort of Malcolm III of Scotland and settled here in Dunfermline.
Since Dunfermline Abbey was founded by her it has the right to use her coat of arms.
Following the due processes and given considerable work and help from the said Peter Drummond-Murray, Mark Dennis advocate and Dr James Floyd from the Heraldry Society of Scotland along with the advice from the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine.
The Abbey`s request has been granted by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, thus we now have our own Coat of Arms granted in the name of the Minister and Kirk session of Dunfermline Abbey.
 Dunfermline Abbey Coat of Arms
Our arms incorporate an Abbott`s Crozier, an Open Crown to indicate our Royal connection, two Lion Rampants from the Coat of Arms of the Royal Burgh of Dunfermline granted in 1909 and of course the cross flory and four martlets.
Incidentally the earliest reference to the Lyon as such is of his creation by King Robert the Bruce in 1318.
How fitting, as King Robert lies beneath the magnificent pulpit of Dunfermline Abbey. He was buried there in 1329. On a frieze around the interior at clerestory are placed the armorial crests of the Kings and Queens of Scotland buried within the Abbey and of CharlesI who was baptised there.
What does all this mean?
Well we have the opportunity to display our Abbey`s history in those arms. There is no snobbery about this as some might fear it is not about pretence but about colour, continuity and there for all to enjoy and perhaps visitors may carry away a memento of their visit showing the Coat of Arms.
The eminent poet George Mackay Brown wrote `Heraldry is the fury of history made wise and formal, from its hands we take at last the wholesome images ... the heart`s bread .. that our ancestors sowed for us in passion and blindness".
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