The Reverend Canon Joseph John Morrow CVO CBE KStJ KC DL FRSE
Morrow attired in judicial robes as Lord Lyon King of Arms
Lord Lyon King of Arms
Incumbent
Assumed office 27 February 2014
Monarchs	Elizabeth II Charles III
Preceded by	David Sellar
Personal details
Born	(1954-12-12)12 December 1954

Joseph John Morrow CVO CBE KStJ KC DL FRSE^[1] is the current Lord Lyon King of Arms.^[2] He was appointed to the office on 17 January 2014^[3] and sworn in before the Lord President of the Court of Session on 27 February 2014.^[4] In that role, he took part in the Royal Procession at the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla.^[5]

Biography

Morrow is a member of the Faculty of Advocates and was named as Queen's Counsel in September 2015.^[6] In 2008 he was appointed President of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland (demitted office October 2019).^[7] He has previously served as Her Majesty's Commissioner for the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland (1999–2006), as a First-Tier Tribunal Judge (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) (2002–2013), and as President of the Additional Support Needs Tribunals for Scotland (2010–2014).^[8]

In 2009, he was appointed as Vice Lord Lieutenant of Dundee,^[9] having served as a Labour councillor for the Maryfield ward until that year.^[10] He held the positions of Convenor of the Economic Development Committee, Convenor of the Dundee Waterfront Development Board, and was Depute Lord Provost during his time as an elected member.

He has served as incumbent of the Chapel of Glamis Castle, Chancellor of the Diocese of Brechin, and an Honorary Canon of St Paul's Cathedral, Dundee.^[11]

He is a Freemason and from 2004 to 2005 he served as the 108th Grand Master Mason of the Grand Lodge of Scotland.^[12] In March 2018 he was appointed as the First Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland.^[13] On October 26, 2023, he was elected to a further term as the Grand Master Mason and was installed into this role in November 2023.

In 2012, he was appointed Commander of the Venerable Order of St John.^[14] In December 2015 he was promoted to the rank of Knight.^[15][16] In 2016 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by Edinburgh Napier University.

In 2020, he was appointed Squadron Colonel of 2 (City of Dundee and Highland) Signal Squadron, which is a sub unit of 32nd Signal Regiment, a Royal Signals Army Reserve sub-unit based in Dundee and Aberdeen.^[17]

His interests include ecclesiastical history and the practical application of ceremonial to state, civil, military, and ecclesiastical areas of Scottish life, together with over thirty years' experience in the field of heraldry.

Arms

Coat of arms of Joseph Morrow

Crest A dexter hand Or holding a dagger erect Purpure hilted and pomelled Or. Escutcheon Per fess enhanced Or and Purpure over all three piles conjoined in point counter-changed, the centre pile charged with a maunch (mauche) and the other two with passion crosses Or. Motto Deo Volente ("With God Willing")