Map of England showing where the Clews arms are recorded
The Clews arms were recorded in Dorsetshire, c. 1620.
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 Clews 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 Dorsetshire.
Origin & History of the Clews Family in England
The family name Clews is a topographic surname that likely originated from people who lived near a steep, rocky cliff or a narrow passage. In Middle English, the word clew or clewe referred to a ball of thread, but it also carried the meaning of a headland or a sharp rock formation. By the time the family was firmly established in the county of Dorsetshire in 1620, the name had become a way to identify individuals based on the specific landscape of their home region. Life in seventeenth-century Dorset was defined by agriculture and coastal trade, and families with this name were often integrated into the local parish systems. Over generations, the spelling of the name shifted as it was recorded by local clerks and church officials, eventually settling into the form we recognize today. This transition from a descriptive nickname to a formal family name reflects the way many English surnames were formed as populations grew and moved across the countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
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)
“Gu. on a chev. betw. two”
Irelandc. 1647
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Map of Ireland showing where the Clews arms are recorded
The Clews arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1647.
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 I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Clews 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 Clews Family in Ireland
The family name Clews has roots that stretch back to the mid-seventeenth century in Ireland, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Dublin by 1647. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political transition, making it a common destination for families seeking new opportunities or responding to the shifting social landscape of the era. The name itself is thought to be a variation of occupational or locational surnames that evolved as families moved across regions. By establishing themselves in the capital city during the 1640s, the early Clews family became part of the urban fabric of a city undergoing significant growth. Their presence in official records from this time suggests they were integrated into the local community, likely participating in the commerce and civic life that defined seventeenth-century Dublin.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clive
Derived from the Old English word for a cliff or slope.
This name
ClewsA topographic name for someone who lived near a steep cliff or riverbank.
also spelled
Colls
Colle
Collee
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Dorset History Centre, Dorset 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
