A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Clowes family of England.
Reg. 2646 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. on a chev. engr. betw. three unicorns' heads erased or, as many crescents gu”
StaffordStafford, c. 1576
Where the Clowes Arms Were Recorded
Stafford
Map of England showing where the Clowes arms are recorded
The Clowes arms were recorded in Stafford, c. 1576.
Staffordshire was mixed country of moorland, farmland and early ironworking. Its landed families were spread widely rather than concentrated, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Clowes 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 Stafford.
Origin & History of the Clowes Family in England
The family name Clowes is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, specifically originating as a topographical surname. It was likely given to people who lived near a "clough," which is an old term for a deep, narrow valley or a steep ravine. By the time the family appears in official records in Stafford in 1576, they were already well-established members of the local community. During this period, the name was often spelled in various ways, such as Clowse or Clows, reflecting the way local clerks recorded names based on how they sounded. As the family grew, they became deeply connected to the industrial and social life of Staffordshire, eventually playing a notable role in the development of the region through their involvement in local trades and land ownership.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clough
A deep ravine or narrow valley with steep sides.
This name
ClowesA topographic name for someone who lived near a steep-sided valley or ravine.
also spelled
Clows
Related arms
Burnabyrecorded with Clowes, same area
Tempestrecorded with Clowes, same area
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Staffordshire Record Office, Diocese of Lichfield Episcopal Records, 1576
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
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
