A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bowne family of England.
Reg. 6861 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
cinquefoilHope and joy
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. a cinquefoil erm. within an orle of martlets or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bowne Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bowne arms are recorded
The Bowne 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 Bowne 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 Bowne Family in England
The surname Bowne is believed to have originated in England, where it functioned as a topographical name for people who lived near a boundary or a specific landmark. By the early seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of York. During this period, the name was often associated with individuals who held roles in local trade or civic life. As the century progressed, some members of the family left their homes in northern England to seek new opportunities across the Atlantic Ocean. These early settlers played a significant role in the development of colonial communities in North America, particularly in the areas that would become New York and New Jersey. Their transition from English city dwellers to colonial pioneers helped establish the name in the historical record of the New World.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
buna
Old English word for a reed or a marsh plant.
This name
BowneA topographical surname for someone who lived near a patch of reeds or marshy ground.
also spelled
Boune
Boun
Related arms
Batmansimilar arms
Bohunsimilar arms
Bounvariant spelling
Bowlesrecorded with Bowne, same area
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
Bowne, John, Journal of John Bowne, 1650–1694
New York State Archives, Records of the Colony of New Netherland, 1647–1674
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
cinquefoilHope and joy
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
cinquefoilHope and joy
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
