A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bowater family of England.
Reg. 2928 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. an inescutcheon sa. charged with a crescent of the field, an orle of martlets gu”
MiddlesexMiddlesex, c. 1844
Where the Bowater Arms Were Recorded
Middlesex
Map of England showing where the Bowater arms are recorded
The Bowater arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1844.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in England when the Bowater 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Bowater Family in England
The surname Bowater is a locational name that originated in England, likely derived from a person who lived near a specific landmark or geographic feature. Etymologists suggest the name is composed of the Old English words for a bow or a curved shape and a water source, such as a stream or a pond. By the mid-19th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Middlesex. During this period, the area was undergoing rapid industrial and urban growth, and families like the Bowaters often contributed to the expanding trade and professional sectors of London and its surrounding districts. While the name remains rooted in these early English geographic descriptions, the family’s documented history in Middlesex by 1844 reflects a transition into the modern era of record-keeping and urban development.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
boga
Old English word for a bow or archer's weapon.
This name
BowaterAn occupational surname for a maker or worker of bows.
also spelled
Bowattre
Bowattir
Bowattor
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Census Returns of England and Wales, 1841, HO 107
The National Archives, General Register Office: Births, Marriages and Deaths, RG 4
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
