A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crowther family of England.
Reg. 7613 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
vairProtection, and the winter fur
Colours
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)
“Gu. a bend wavy vair”
SalopLondon · Salop, c. 1620
Where the Crowther Arms Were Recorded
Salop
Map of England showing where the Crowther arms are recorded
The Crowther arms were recorded in Salop, c. 1620.
Shropshire lay on the Welsh border, and border country needed men who could fight. Families held their land in return for service, and service in arms is what a coat of arms was originally for.
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 Crowther 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 Salop.
Origin & History of the Crowther Family in England
The surname Crowther is an occupational name that traces its roots back to the Middle Ages in England. It originates from the Middle English word "crowther," which referred to a person who played the crwth, an ancient stringed instrument similar to a violin or fiddle. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Salop, which is also known as Shropshire. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Crowther family were living and working in this region during the reign of King James I. As a name tied to the role of a musician or minstrel, it suggests that early ancestors were likely valued members of their local communities who provided entertainment at social gatherings and village festivals. Over time, the family name became firmly rooted in the landscape of the West Midlands, where it persisted through generations of agricultural and trade-based life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crwth
A traditional ancient Celtic stringed musical instrument.
This name
CrowtherAn occupational surname for a professional player of the crwth or a maker of the instrument.
also spelled
Crowder
Crouther
Crowdher
Related arms
Crothersvariant spelling
Crowdervariant 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
Shropshire Archives, Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry: Parish registers for the county of Salop, 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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
