Map of England showing where the Alwine arms are recorded
The Alwine arms were recorded in London, c. 1499.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Henry VII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VII of England
1485–1509
Reigning in England when the Alwine arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Alwine Family in England
The surname Alwine traces its linguistic roots to Old English, originating from the given name Æthelwine, which combines the elements for noble and friend. By the late fifteenth century, the family had established a documented presence in London, appearing in city records as early as 1499. During this period, London was a bustling center of trade and social mobility, and families like the Alwines were often involved in the city’s growing merchant guilds or local parish administration. As the name transitioned from a personal identifier to a hereditary surname, it reflected the common practice of adopting ancestral names to signify family lineage. These early London residents lived through a time of significant cultural change, witnessing the transition from the medieval era into the early modern period while helping to shape the urban identity of the capital.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Æthelwine
Old English elements meaning noble and friend.
This name
AlwineA noble friend or a friend of the nobility.
also spelled
Alwin
Alwine
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Early Chancery Proceedings, C 1/227/17, 1499
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
