A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Darwent family of England.
Reg. 6375 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. two bars gu. on a canton of the second a rose of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Darwent Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Darwent arms are recorded
The Darwent 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 Darwent 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 Darwent Family in England
The family name Darwent is a locational surname that originates from the northern regions of England. It is derived from the Old English and Brythonic words for the River Derwent, which flows through the landscape of Yorkshire and Derbyshire. People who lived near this river were often identified by their proximity to the water, eventually adopting the name as a way to distinguish themselves in their local communities. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Darwent family were firmly established in the city of York. During this period, families in York were often involved in the city’s thriving trade guilds and local governance, reflecting a transition from rural life near the river to the structured urban environment of one of England’s most historic cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Derwent
A Brythonic river name meaning clear or oak-filled water.
This name
DarwentA topographic surname denoting someone who lived near the River Derwent.
also spelled
Derwent
Darwint
Related arms
Dawestsame arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, York City Archives: House Books and Freemen’s Rolls, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
