Map of England showing where the Barwise arms are recorded
The Barwise arms were recorded in Cumberland, c. 1620.
Cumberland was rough border country in the north-west, facing Scotland across a disputed line. Its families held land in return for keeping it defended, and men who fought carried shields of their own.
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 Barwise 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 Cumberland.
Origin & History of the Barwise Family in England
The family name Barwise is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Cumberland in northwest England. Historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this region by the early 17th century. The name itself is topographical, meaning it likely originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a nickname. It is derived from the Old English words for a barley field or a fenced enclosure, suggesting that the first people to carry the name were farmers or landowners who lived near a distinct field of grain. By the year 1620, the family was already integrated into the local community life of Cumberland, where they lived as yeomen or small-scale farmers. This connection to the land remained a central part of their identity for generations as they helped shape the rural history of the English border counties.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berewyk
Old English term for an outlying farm or corn farm.
This name
BarwiseA habitational name derived from a person living near an outlying farm or barley field.
also spelled
Barwes
Barwys
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Armstrong, A. M., Mawer, A., Stenton, F. M., and Dickens, B., The Place-Names of Cumberland, 1950
Cumberland Archives, Records of the Quarter Sessions for the County of Cumberland, 1600–1650
Reaney, P. H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
