Map of England showing where the Dewey arms are recorded
The Dewey arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind 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 England when the Dewey 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Dewey Family in England
The surname Dewey is believed to have originated in England as a topographic name, likely describing someone who lived near a dew-covered meadow or a damp, low-lying area. The name is derived from the Old French word "dew," which refers to the moisture that collects on grass in the early morning. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Norfolk. Records from this period indicate that members of the Dewey family were active participants in local life before the Great Migration brought many English settlers to the American colonies. These early ancestors were typically farmers or tradespeople who helped shape the rural landscape of East Anglia. Their movement across the Atlantic in the 1600s helped establish the name in the New World, where it eventually spread across North America.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dewi
A Welsh form of the name David meaning beloved.
This name
DeweyA patronymic surname derived from the Welsh given name David.
also spelled
Dewie
Dewey
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts for the County of Norfolk, 1600–1630
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
cinquefoilHope and joy
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
cinquefoilHope and joy
