A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Darwin family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0386 · Britain, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à la bande de gu., coticée de sin. et ch. de trois coquilles d'or, posées dans le sens de la bande. C.: un griffon iss. de sin., tenant de sa patte dextre une coquille d'or. D.: CAVE ET AUDE [Armes du naturaliste Charles Robert D.]”
KentKent, c. 1700
Where the Darwin Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Darwin arms are recorded
The Darwin arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1700.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Darwin arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Darwin Family in Britain
The family name Darwin has deep roots in the English landscape, with early records tracing the lineage to the county of Kent during the late seventeenth century. Before the family became famous for its contributions to science, they were primarily established as modest landowners and professionals in the region. The name itself is thought to be of Old English origin, likely derived from a combination of words meaning dear or beloved friend. As the family moved away from their Kentish origins, they began to settle in other parts of England, such as Lincolnshire and Staffordshire. This period of migration allowed the family to integrate into the local gentry and professional classes, setting the stage for their later influence on British intellectual life. By the time the name gained wider recognition in the eighteenth century, the Darwins had already built a reputation as a family deeply connected to the changing social and economic fabric of Britain.
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
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Ar. on a bend gu. betw. two cotises vert, three escallops or”
LincolnCleatham · Lincoln, c. 1620
Where the Darwin Arms Were Recorded
Lincoln
Map of England showing where the Darwin arms are recorded
The Darwin arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Britain when the Darwin 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Darwin Family in England
The Darwin family name has roots in the English county of Lincolnshire, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. The name itself is believed to be of locative origin, meaning it likely described where a person lived or came from. It is thought to be a variation of the Old English words for dear and friend, or perhaps a reference to a specific place known as Derwent. By the seventeenth century, the family was well-established in the region, with ancestors working as modest tradesmen and farmers. Over time, these early generations moved from their initial base in Lincoln to other parts of the country. This transition helped the family name grow from a local identifier into a recognized part of English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Deorwine
Old English elements meaning dear or beloved friend.
This name
DarwinA locational surname derived from the River Derwent, meaning clear or bright water.
also spelled
Darwyn
Derwin
Derwyn
Related arms
Derwynvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Desmond, Adrian and Moore, James. Darwin. 1991
Browne, Janet. Charles Darwin: Voyaging. 1995
The National Archives, Kew. Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers
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
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
