A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crewse family of England.
Reg. 8628 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. a bend cotised betw. four birds volant ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Crewse Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Crewse arms are recorded
The Crewse 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 Crewse 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 Crewse Family in England
The family name Crewse is primarily rooted in the southwestern regions of England, where it evolved from topographical descriptions of the landscape. The name likely originated as a locational surname for people who lived near a crossing, a hollow, or a specific type of enclosure. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family had established themselves in various parts of the country, including the historic city of York. Records confirm that individuals bearing the name were present in York by 1620, suggesting that the family had expanded their reach far from their ancestral origins in the West Country. During this period, the name appeared in various spellings such as Cruse, Crewes, and Crewse, which was common before modern spelling rules became standardized. These early ancestors were likely involved in the local trade and civic life of York, contributing to the growth and development of the city during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crux
Latin word meaning a cross or a crossroads.
This name
CrewseA topographical name for someone who lived near a cross or a junction of roads.
also spelled
Cruse
Crewes
Creuse
Crew
Related arms
Crewvariant spelling
Crewesvariant spelling
Crusevariant 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 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
