A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cowlin family of England.
Reg. 4472 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
duckResourcefulness on land and water
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. a chev. sa. betw. three coots ppr”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Cowlin Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Cowlin arms are recorded
The Cowlin 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 Cowlin 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 Cowlin Family in England
The surname Cowlin is rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with significant evidence placing the family in the city of York by the early seventeenth century. Linguists often trace the name to a variation of the personal name Col or Colin, which were popular diminutive forms of Nicholas during the Middle Ages. As surnames became permanent fixtures in English society, families often adopted these names to distinguish themselves within their local communities. By 1620, the Cowlin family was already established in York, a city that served as a vital hub for trade and administration. During this era, members of the family likely participated in the local guild systems or agricultural life that defined the region. Their presence in official records from this period suggests they were settled, contributing members of the urban population who helped shape the social fabric of the city during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Col
A medieval pet form of the name Nicholas meaning victory of people.
This name
CowlinA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Nicholas or Colin.
also spelled
Cowling
Cowlyn
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 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
duckResourcefulness on land and water
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
duckResourcefulness on land and water
