A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cowen family of England.
Reg. 6711 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
foxWit and wisdom in defence
Colours
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)
“Ar. three foxes' heads erased gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cowen Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cowen arms are recorded
The Cowen 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 Cowen 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 Cowen Family in England
The surname Cowen has deep roots in the northern regions of England, particularly within the historic city of York. By the year 1620, records confirm that families bearing this name were already established members of the local community. The name itself is often considered a variation of names derived from the Gaelic word for a hound or a warrior, though it also shares linguistic ties to Old Norse influences common in the Yorkshire area. During the seventeenth century, families like the Cowens were often involved in the city’s thriving trade guilds and local commerce. As York served as a major hub for northern England, these early residents likely played a role in the social and economic life of the city during a period of significant national change. Their presence in the city archives during this time suggests that the family was well-integrated into the urban fabric of the region long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Comhghan
Derived from the Gaelic elements meaning companion or fellow born together.
This name
CowenAn Anglicized form of a Gaelic name signifying a friendly or kindred spirit.
also spelled
Cowan
Cowin
Cowon
Related arms
Cowanvariant spelling
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
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foxWit and wisdom in defence
foxWit and wisdom in defence
