A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dowdle family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7507 · 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 Dowdle Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Dowdle arms are recorded
The Dowdle 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 Dowdle 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 Dowdle Family in England
The Dowdle family name traces its roots to early modern England, where records confirm members of the family were established in London by 1620. During this period, London was a bustling center of trade and social change, and families like the Dowdles often played roles in the city’s growing merchant class or local parish life. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or locational surnames that evolved as people moved into urban centers to seek new opportunities. By the early 17th century, the family was well-integrated into the fabric of English society, participating in the daily activities of a city that was rapidly expanding its influence across the globe. This era marked a time of significant transition, and the presence of the Dowdle family in the capital reflects the broader patterns of migration and family settlement that defined England during the reign of King James I.
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 Dowdle Arms Were Recorded
Louth
Map of Ireland showing where the Dowdle arms are recorded
The Dowdle 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 Dowdle 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 Dowdle Family in Ireland
The Dowdle family name has deep roots in County Louth, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1645. The name is widely considered an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Ó Dubhghaill, which translates to descendant of the dark stranger. This term was historically used by the native Irish to describe Viking settlers who arrived on the island centuries earlier. By the mid-seventeenth century, families bearing this name were well-integrated into the social fabric of Louth. They lived through a period of intense political upheaval as land ownership and local governance shifted during the mid-1600s. Despite these challenges, the family maintained a presence in the region, reflecting the broader history of families who navigated the transition from the old Gaelic order to the changing administrative landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dudda
An Old English personal name derived from the word for round.
This name
DowdleA locational surname referring to a valley or hollow belonging to a person named Dudda.
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
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain, 1890
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
