A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dowers family of England.
Reg. 5367 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ermineDignity and rank
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Counter-ermine (Ermines)Means: Dignity
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)
“Erm. a cinquefoil ermines”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dowers Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dowers arms are recorded
The Dowers 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 Dowers 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 Dowers Family in England
The family name Dowers traces its roots to the northern regions of England, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the historic city of York as early as 1620. During this period, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, suggesting that early ancestors were likely involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled craft industries that defined the city’s economy. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or locational surnames that evolved as families moved between rural villages and growing urban centers. By establishing themselves in York during the early seventeenth century, the Dowers family became part of the social fabric of a city undergoing significant religious and political change. Their presence in official records from this time indicates that they were settled residents who contributed to the civic life of the region during a transformative era in English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dower
A widow's share of her deceased husband's estate.
This name
DowersAn occupational name for a person who managed or received a widow's dower property.
also spelled
Doweres
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. Records of the Diocese of York: Probate Records and Parish Registers
Raine, James. The History and Antiquities of the Parish of Blyth. 1860
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
ermineDignity and rank
cinquefoilHope and joy
ermineDignity and rank
cinquefoilHope and joy
