A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Douthwaite family of England.
Reg. 5170 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, on a fess betw. four fleurs-de-lis gu. two others of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Douthwaite Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Douthwaite arms are recorded
The Douthwaite 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 Douthwaite 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 Douthwaite Family in England
The surname Douthwaite is a locational name that originated in Northern England, specifically derived from the Old Norse words "douth," meaning a hollow or valley, and "thwaite," meaning a cleared piece of land. This suggests that the earliest members of the family were likely farmers or settlers who established homesteads in the secluded clearings of the Yorkshire dales. By the year 1620, records confirm that the family had established a firm presence in the city of York, where they were integrated into the local community as tradespeople and citizens. During this period, the family name began to appear more frequently in parish registers and legal documents, reflecting their transition from rural landholders to urban dwellers. This movement into the city allowed the Douthwaites to participate in the growing economic life of Northern England, marking a significant chapter in the family’s long history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
thveit
Old Norse term for a piece of cleared land or meadow.
This name
DouthwaiteDerived from a location meaning a clearing in the woods belonging to a person named Douth.
also spelled
Douthwayte
Douthwate
Douthwite
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, 1991
Smith, A.H., The Place-Names of the North Riding of Yorkshire, 1928
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, Lay Subsidy Rolls for the County of York
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
