A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Blow family of England.
Reg. 3273 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 saltire betw. four pomeis”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Blow Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Blow arms are recorded
The Blow arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them 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 Blow 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 Blow Family in England
The surname Blow is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive nickname, likely referring to a person with a boisterous personality or perhaps someone who worked with a bellows. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Blow family were living in this region by 1620, placing them in a bustling urban center known for its trade and religious significance during the Stuart period. As the family grew, they integrated into the local community, contributing to the social and economic life of Northern England. Over time, the name spread beyond York, but these early residents helped define the family’s long-standing connection to the English landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
blawan
Old English verb meaning to bloom, flourish, or thrive.
This name
BlowAn occupational name for a flower grower or a nickname for a flourishing person.
also spelled
Blower
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
