Map of England showing where the Crawshaw arms are recorded
The Crawshaw 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 Crawshaw 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 Crawshaw Family in England
The surname Crawshaw is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal trait. The name is derived from Old English words meaning a wood or thicket frequented by crows. Families bearing this name likely first settled in the hilly regions of the West Riding of Yorkshire, where the landscape was defined by these wooded valleys. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Crawshaw family were well-established residents of York. During this period, the family was integrated into the local economy and social fabric of the city, transitioning from their rural origins into the urban life of a major northern trade center. This movement reflects the broader migration patterns of the seventeenth century, as families sought new opportunities in growing administrative and commercial hubs.
Crawshaw Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Crawe and sceaga
Old English for crow and a small wood or thicket.
This name
CrawshawA dweller in a wood frequented by crows.
also spelled
Crawshay
Crowshaw
Related arms
Crawshayvariant 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
Hey, David, The Oxford Guide to Family History, 2002
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
