Map of England showing where the Borowiak arms are recorded
The Borowiak arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Borowiak 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Borowiak Family in England
The surname Borowiak originates from the Slavic root word bor, which refers to a pine forest or a woodland area. This suggests that the earliest families bearing this name were likely forest dwellers or people who lived near significant wooded regions in Central Europe. By the year 1620, records indicate that members of the family had established a presence in Lancaster, England. This movement reflects the broader patterns of migration during the seventeenth century, when individuals often traveled across borders to seek new opportunities or escape regional instability. As these early family members settled in their new home, they carried the linguistic heritage of their origins while adapting to the social landscape of colonial-era England. Over time, the name evolved from a simple descriptor of a person’s environment into a permanent family identity that was passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bor
Slavic term referring to a pine forest or woodland.
This name
BorowiakA habitational name for someone who lived near or worked in a pine forest.
also spelled
Berwick
Barwick
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Dunkling, Leslie and Hodges, Flavia. The Oxford Dictionary of Surnames. 1995
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
