A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cawood family of England.
Reg. 0267 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Ar. on a bend vert three acorns or”
LincolnCawoodhall · Lincoln, c. 1620
Where the Cawood Arms Were Recorded
Lincoln
Map of England showing where the Cawood arms are recorded
The Cawood arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Cawood 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Cawood Family in England
The surname Cawood originates from a locative source, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place name in Northern England. The name is derived from the Old English words "ca" and "wudu," which together translate to a wood where jackdaws were commonly found. Families bearing this name were well-established in Yorkshire for centuries before branches began to migrate southward. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Cawood family were living in Lincoln. During this period, the family was likely involved in the local trade and agricultural life that defined the region. As they settled in Lincoln, they became part of the social fabric of the city, contributing to the local community during a time of significant transition in English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caw + Wudu
A jackdaw and a wooded area or forest.
This name
CawoodRefers to a person who lived near a forest frequented by jackdaws.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names. 1960
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Lincolnshire Archives, Bishop's Transcripts of Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
