A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bowland family of England.
Reg. 5078 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, sa. an eagle displ. ar. armed gu.; 2nd and 3rd, ar. two chev. sa”
Englandc. 1573
Where the Bowland Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bowland arms are recorded
The Bowland arms were recorded in England, c. 1573.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Bowland 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 Bowland Family in England
The surname Bowland is a locative name, meaning it was originally used to identify people who lived in or near a specific geographic location. The name is most strongly associated with the Forest of Bowland, a rugged and historic area in the ancient county of Lancashire. By the late sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York, as evidenced by records from 1573. During this period, York was a major center for trade and administration in Northern England, and families often migrated from rural districts to urban hubs to pursue new economic opportunities. The movement of the Bowland family from the countryside toward the city reflects the broader patterns of social change in Elizabethan England, where individuals began to settle in growing regional capitals to build lives as merchants, craftsmen, or civic officials.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Boga-land
Derived from Old English words for a bow or curved land.
This name
BowlandRefers to a person who lived near a curved piece of land or a bow-shaped valley.
also spelled
Boland
Bowlan
Related arms
Bolandvariant spelling
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1573
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
