A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cruwys family of England.
Reg. 6143 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 per bend indented ar. and gu. betw. six escallops or”
DevonCruwys · Devon, c. 1804
Where the Cruwys Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Cruwys arms are recorded
The Cruwys arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1804.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in England when the Cruwys 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Cruwys Family in England
The surname Cruwys is deeply rooted in the landscape of Devon, England, where the family has maintained a presence for many centuries. The name is locative in origin, meaning it was likely taken from a specific place known as Cruwys Morchard. Historical records indicate that the family held land in this area as early as the twelfth century, establishing themselves as prominent local figures long before the nineteenth century. By the time the family was well-documented in Devon in 1804, they had already spent generations shaping the rural character of the region. The name itself is thought to derive from an old word meaning a cross or a crossing, which suggests that the original ancestors lived near a notable junction or a landmark that defined their community. This long connection to the Devonshire countryside reflects a history of stability and deep ties to the local soil.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cruwys
Derived from the Old English word crus, meaning cross or crucifix.
This name
CruwysA topographical name for someone who lived near a cross or a roadside crucifix.
also spelled
Cruwis
Cruwiss
Cruwysse
Related arms
Crewysvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A., and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Devon, 1931
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Kew, Records of the Cruwys Family of Cruwys Morchard, 12th–19th century, reference 123M/F1
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
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
