A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Conaway family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 0979 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à la bande coticée d'arg., ch. d'une rose de gu. et de deux annelets du même. C.: un buste de More, posé de profil, tort. d'arg. et d'azur. T.: deux Mores, hab. d'or, à la jupe de gu., ceints de plumages de sin., tort. d'or et de sa., la main appuyée sur un bouclier d'azur orné d'or, celui à dextre ch. d'un soleil d'or et celui à sen. d'un croiss. du même. D.: FIDE ET AMORE.”
Belgiumc. 1624
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Map of Belgium showing where the Conaway arms are recorded
The Conaway arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1624.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Philip IV of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip IV of Spain
1621–1665
Reigning in Belgium when the Conaway arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Conaway Family in Belgium
The history of the Conaway name in the region of Brabant begins with records of the family living there as early as 1624. During this period, the Duchy of Brabant was a center of European trade and religious transition, placing the family in a landscape defined by both economic growth and political tension. Families in this area often moved between rural villages and bustling urban centers like Brussels or Leuven to find work as skilled laborers or merchants. The name itself likely evolved from local linguistic roots as families adapted to the shifting borders and cultural influences of the Low Countries. By remaining in the region during the seventeenth century, the Conaway ancestors were part of a resilient population that navigated the complex social changes of the era. Their presence in the historical record during this time highlights a long-standing connection to the development of the Brabant region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. on a bend cotised ar. a rose betw. two annulets gu”
BuckinghamshireBuckinghamshire, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Conaway arms are recorded
The Conaway arms were recorded in Buckinghamshire, 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 Belgium when the Conaway 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 Buckinghamshire.
Origin & History of the Conaway Family in England
The family name Conaway has deep roots in the English landscape, with historical records confirming that members of the family were established in Buckinghamshire by the year 1620. The name itself is thought to be a locative surname, which means it likely originated from people who lived near or hailed from a specific place. In the context of early modern England, families often took their names from the villages or parishes where they worked the land. By the early 17th century, the Conaway family was part of the growing population of Buckinghamshire, a region known for its rich agricultural history and proximity to the political centers of London. These early residents were likely farmers or tradespeople who helped shape the local community during a time of significant social and economic change in England. As the family grew, they contributed to the local parish life and the development of the rural economy that defined that era of English history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. on a bend cotised ar. a rose betw. two annulets gu”
BreconBrecon, c. 1647
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Wales showing where the Conaway arms are recorded
The Conaway arms were recorded in Brecon, c. 1647.
Brecon was mid-Welsh hill country, held in small estates by families who stayed for generations. Land was worth less than in the lowlands, but holding it still brought 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Belgium when the Conaway arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Brecon.
Origin & History of the Conaway Family in Wales
The family name Conaway has deep roots in the rugged landscape of Wales, where it evolved from the ancient Welsh name Conwy. This name is tied to the River Conwy and the historic town of the same name in the northern part of the country. Over many generations, families living near these landmarks adopted the name to identify their place of origin. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family had moved further south into the region of Brecon. Records confirm their presence in this area by 1647, showing that the family had established a firm foothold in the local community during a time of great political change in Britain. This migration reflects the broader movement of Welsh families who carried their local identities with them as they settled into new towns and parishes across the Welsh countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Connaidh
Old Irish term referring to a fire or a wise person.
This name
ConawayDerived from a Gaelic personal name meaning hound of the fire or wise chief.
also spelled
Conwey
Conwaye
Conwayy
Conwy
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Belgium (Algemeen Rijksarchief), Parochieregisters van Brabant
City Archives of Leuven (Stadsarchief Leuven), Bevolkingsregisters en burgerlijke stand
Wauters, Alphonse, Histoire des environs de Bruxelles, 1855
Van Uytven, Raymond, De geschiedenis van Leuven: van de vroegste tijden tot het einde van het Ancien Régime, 1980
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
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
