A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dows family of Ireland.
Reg. 8318 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Per fess az. and gu. on a fess dancettée ar. three mullets of the first, in chief a stag's head cabossed, betw. the attires a pheon, and in base a pheon betw. two escallops all of the third”
Irelandc. 1605
Where the Dows Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Dows arms are recorded
The Dows arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1605.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Ireland when the Dows 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 Ireland.
Origin & History of the Dows Family in Ireland
The family name Dows has roots that stretch back to the bustling urban landscape of early seventeenth-century Dublin. By 1605, records confirm that individuals bearing this name were already established residents within the city. During this period, Dublin was a growing center of trade and administration, and families like the Dows were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes that kept the city functioning. While the exact origins of the name remain a subject of historical study, its presence in Dublin suggests that the family was part of the social fabric of Ireland during a time of significant political and economic transition. These early members of the Dows family likely navigated the complex legal and social systems of the era, leaving behind a legacy that links the name to the long history of Ireland’s capital city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dubh
An Old Irish word meaning dark or black.
This name
DowsA descriptive surname referring to a person with dark hair or a dark complexion.
also spelled
Dowse
Dows
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Archives of Ireland, Calendar of the Patent Rolls of the Chancery of Ireland
Dublin City Library and Archive, The Ancient Records of Dublin
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
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
