A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Atwater family of England.
Reg. 2159 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a fesse voided (another, wavy) ar. betw. three swans ppr”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Atwater Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Atwater arms are recorded
The Atwater arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Atwater 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Atwater Family in England
The surname Atwater is a classic example of a topographic name, which was given to people based on the landscape where they lived. In Middle English, the name literally translates to "at the water," indicating that the original family members likely resided near a prominent river, lake, or mill pond. By the early 17th century, the family had established deep roots in the county of Kent, England. Records from 1620 confirm their presence in this region, where they were part of the local community during a time of significant social and religious change. As the name suggests a connection to the land, it is highly probable that early generations were farmers or tradespeople who relied on local water sources for their daily livelihoods. This simple yet descriptive name helped neighbors identify families by their specific location, eventually becoming a permanent hereditary surname passed down through the generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
aet-waeter
Old English for at the water
This name
AtwaterA topographic surname for someone who lived near a body of water or river.
also spelled
Atwatre
Attwatre
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Wills and Administrations, 1620
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
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
