A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bowdler family of Ireland.
Reg. 9263 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
maunchThe lady's sleeve, worn as a favour
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, a maunch gu. on a chief of the last three arrow shafts or, feathered ppr”
Irelandc. 1661
Where the Bowdler Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Bowdler arms are recorded
The Bowdler arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1661.
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 II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Ireland when the Bowdler 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 Bowdler Family in Ireland
The surname Bowdler is thought to have originated in the border regions between England and Wales, where it likely functioned as a descriptive name for a person who lived near a specific landmark or held a particular occupation. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family had established a presence in Ireland, with records confirming their residence in Dublin by 1661. During this period, Dublin was a growing center of trade and administration, attracting families from across the British Isles who sought new opportunities in the city's expanding merchant and professional classes. The migration of the Bowdler family to Ireland reflects the broader movement of people during the seventeenth century as they settled into new urban environments and integrated into the local society of the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bald
An Old English or Germanic element meaning bold or brave.
This name
BowdlerA locational surname derived from a bold or daring person from a specific settlement.
also spelled
Boudler
Bowdeler
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Records of the Prerogative Court of Armagh, 1661
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
maunchThe lady's sleeve, worn as a favour
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
maunchThe lady's sleeve, worn as a favour
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
