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From: Jean Manning <>
Subject: [SCT-INV-L] Lord Lyon and Lyon Court
Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2000 11:29:28 -0600

Having a Scot Lyon branch of my family, I have become interested in the
name. There are many sites on the web that discuss the Lyon Court and
the current and past Lord Lyons, but none explain why the Lyon Court and
the Lord are so named.

Could any historians on the list explain this to me?

Is the name a derivative of William the Lion, king of Scotland? One
site states
"William, King of Scotland, was surnamed "The Lion" due to the
rampant (standing on hind legs) red lion on a yellow field, which he had
as his standard. It would go on to become Scotland's Royal Heraldic
colours and is easily recognisable even today."

If this is the answer, then where did William the Lion get his rampant
red lion on a yellow field? Did he just make it up?

One of my "history nut" brothers says it comes from the "Lion of Judah"
with ties to France.

Can anybody explain why the Lyon Court is so named and why Lord Lyon is
so named?

Jean Manning

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• [SCT-INV-L] Lord Lyon and Lyon Court by Jean Manning <>