A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Askew family of England.
Reg. 6874 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
horseReadiness to serve king and country
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. on a fesse ar. betw. three asses' heads couped or, as many mullets az”
EnglandLondon, c. 1533
Where the Askew Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Askew arms are recorded
The Askew arms were recorded in London, c. 1533.
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 VIII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VIII of England
1509–1547
Reigning in England when the Askew 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 Askew Family in England
The surname Askew is of Old Norse origin, derived from the words "askr," meaning ash tree, and "haugr," meaning a hill or mound. This suggests that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent ash tree located on a hill in Northern England. By the time the family appeared in London records in 1533, they had already established themselves as a family of some social standing. During this period, the name was often spelled in various ways, such as Ayscough or Askewe, which was common before spelling became standardized. The family’s presence in the capital during the sixteenth century coincided with a time of great religious and political change in England, and members of the family were frequently involved in the legal and administrative circles of the Tudor court.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
askr
Old Norse term for an ash tree.
This name
AskewDerived from a topographic name for someone living by an ash tree or a crooked tree.
also spelled
Asku
Askue
Related arms
Aiscough, or Ayscoghevariant spelling
Ascuevariant spelling
Ayscoughvariant spelling
Ayscuevariant spelling
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, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, 1533
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
horseReadiness to serve king and country
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
horseReadiness to serve king and country
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
