Map of England showing where the Downes arms are recorded
The Downes arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 Downes 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Downes Family in England
The surname Downes is a topographic name, meaning it was originally used to describe people who lived near a hill or a stretch of open, rolling land known as a "down." By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of Chester, England. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Downes family were active within this walled city, which served as a major hub for trade and regional administration during that era. Because Chester was a vital center for commerce and military activity, families living there often held positions of local influence or worked as skilled tradespeople. Over time, the name became firmly rooted in the region, reflecting the family's long-standing connection to the landscape and the urban development of Cheshire.
Downes Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
dun
Old English word for a hill or elevated piece of land.
This name
DownesRefers to someone who lived on or near a hill or downland.
also spelled
Downs
Dounes
Downis
Related arms
Downsvariant spelling
Worsleyrecorded with Downes, same area
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
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop's Transcripts for the Diocese of Chester, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
