A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dowdell family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9492 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
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. five martlets gu. three and two”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Dowdell Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Dowdell arms are recorded
The Dowdell arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Dowdell 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 Dowdell Family in England
The Dowdell family name has roots that stretch back to the bustling streets of seventeenth-century London. By 1620, members of the family were already established within the city, living during a time of great social change and urban expansion. The name itself is thought to be topographical in nature, likely originating from a description of where an early ancestor lived, such as near a valley or a specific wooded area. As London grew into a global center for trade and commerce, the Dowdell family became part of the city’s complex social fabric. They lived through a period defined by the rise of the merchant class and the rapid development of neighborhoods outside the old Roman walls. Their presence in the capital during this era suggests they were part of the hardworking population that helped shape the city into a hub of industry and culture.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
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. a fess betw. three martlets gu”
LouthLecall · Louth, c. 1645
Where the Dowdell Arms Were Recorded
Louth
Map of Ireland showing where the Dowdell arms are recorded
The Dowdell arms were recorded in Louth, c. 1645.
Louth is the smallest Irish county but sat on the road north from Dublin. Norman families took it early, held it under arms, and stayed, which is what put their shields on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Dowdell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Louth.
Origin & History of the Dowdell Family in Ireland
The Dowdell family name has deep roots in County Louth, where members of the family were well-established by the middle of the seventeenth century. The name is believed to be an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Dubhghaill, which translates to descendant of the dark stranger. This suggests that the family’s ancestors may have been among the Norse-Gaelic settlers who integrated into Irish society centuries before the name appeared in official records. By 1645, the Dowdells were significant landowners and figures of local influence in Louth, often serving in administrative or legal roles within the region. Their presence during this era coincided with a time of great political upheaval in Ireland, yet the family managed to maintain their standing and identity within the local community. Through their long history in the province of Leinster, the Dowdells became a recognized part of the social fabric of Louth, leaving a legacy that persisted through generations of land management and civic participation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Daud
A medieval diminutive form of the Hebrew name David meaning beloved.
This name
DowdellA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named David or a diminutive thereof.
also spelled
Dowdell
Dowdle
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic: James I, 1620
London Metropolitan Archives, City of London Parish Registers, 1620
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martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
