A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Curwin family of England.
Reg. 2857 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ar. fretty gu. a chief az”
CumberlandWorkington · Cumberland, c. 1664
Where the Curwin Arms Were Recorded
Cumberland
Map of England showing where the Curwin arms are recorded
The Curwin arms were recorded in Cumberland, c. 1664.
Cumberland was rough border country in the north-west, facing Scotland across a disputed line. Its families held land in return for keeping it defended, and men who fought carried shields of their own.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Curwin 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 Cumberland.
Origin & History of the Curwin Family in England
The family name Curwin is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Cumberland, a historic county in North West England. By the year 1664, records confirm that members of the Curwin family were well-established residents of this region. The name itself is often linked to the Old Norse or Old English traditions of the area, reflecting the diverse cultural influences that shaped the northern borders of England. Families in this part of the country during the seventeenth century were frequently involved in local agriculture and trade, living in close-knit communities that relied on the natural resources of the Lake District and the surrounding valleys. As the family grew, they became an integral part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of Cumberland through their work and their presence in parish life. Their history serves as a window into the lives of northern English families who helped define the character of the region during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Corwen
Derived from the Welsh words for white and hill or ridge.
This name
CurwinAn English locational surname originating from a place in Denbighshire, Wales.
also spelled
Korwin
Corwyn
Curwin
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ferguson, R. S., A History of Cumberland, 1890
Cumbria Archive Service, Kendal Archive Centre, Curwen of Workington Hall Papers, D/CW
Nicolson, J. and Burn, R., The History and Antiquities of the Counties of Westmorland and Cumberland, 1777
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
