A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bellow family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9381 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Erm. on a chev. gu. three escallops ar”
ChesterChester, c. 1620
Where the Bellow Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Bellow arms are recorded
The Bellow arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families carried 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 Bellow 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Bellow Family in England
The history of the Bellow family in England is rooted in the social and economic landscape of the seventeenth century, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of Chester by 1620. During this era, Chester served as a vital hub for trade and regional administration, attracting individuals who were often involved in skilled crafts or mercantile activities. Families like the Bellows were typically part of the emerging middle class, contributing to the local urban economy while navigating the political shifts of the Stuart period. As residents of a prominent walled city, these early family members likely participated in the tight-knit community life of the parish, leaving behind traces in local administrative registers that document their movements and legal standing. By establishing themselves in such a significant northern center, the Bellow family became part of the long tradition of English urban development, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and settlement that defined the lives of ordinary citizens during the early modern age.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Erm. on a fess gu. three escallops ar”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Bellow Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Bellow arms are recorded
The Bellow arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Bellow arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Bellow Family in Ireland
The Bellow family name has a distinct history rooted in the urban development of seventeenth-century Ireland. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin, a city that was then a center of political and social transition. During this period, the name was likely associated with individuals who moved within the growing merchant and administrative classes of the capital. As Dublin expanded, families like the Bellows often integrated into the local economy by participating in the city's trade networks and civic life. Their presence in the capital suggests they were part of the demographic shifts occurring as the city became a focal point for people moving from various regions to seek new opportunities. This early foothold in Dublin provided a foundation for the family to become a part of the long-term historical fabric of the city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bel
Derived from the Old French word for beautiful or fair.
This name
BellowA nickname for a handsome man or a term of endearment.
also spelled
Bello
Related arms
Bellewvariant spelling
Beloevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop’s Transcripts of Chester St. Oswald, 1620
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Chester City Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Dyer, Christopher, An Age of Transition? Economy and Society in England in the Later Middle Ages, 2005
Thirsk, Joan, The Rural Economy of England: Collected Essays, 1984
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
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
