Royal Burgh of Kinghorn
Latin motto
“Sanctus Leonardus De Kinghorn “
“St Leonard of Kinghorn”
Comes from the reverse of the old seal, which showed St Leonard giving a blessing.
Kinghorn appears to have been a Royal burgh of King William the Lion between 1165 and 1172 and was so recognised by King Alexander III in 1285.
The arms follows the device on the obverse of the Burgh seal of which a sixteenth century impression is on record. They show the Castle of Kinghorn, a favourite residence and hunting seat of early Scottish Kings, and specially connected with King Alexander I II (1249 – 1286) who was accidentally killed near the town, a monument to him still stands today.
The Castle was granted to Sir John Lyon of Glamis about 1375 as part of the dowry of his bride Jean, daughter of King Robert II, and that his descendant Patrick, 9th Lord Glamis, was created Earl of Kinghorne by King James VI in 1606.
This is the family of the late H.M.Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. St Leonard is the patron saint of the Burgh.