A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dowson family of England.
Reg. 2517 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a bend or, surmounted by a fesse ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Dowson Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Dowson arms are recorded
The Dowson 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 Dowson 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 Dowson Family in England
The surname Dowson is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of someone named Daw or Dow. These names were common medieval nicknames for David, a name that grew in popularity across Northern England during the Middle Ages. By the early seventeenth century, the Dowson family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were living and working within the city walls during a time when York was a major center for trade and religious life. As the family grew, they integrated into the local economy, likely working as skilled tradespeople or merchants who helped shape the bustling urban environment of the region. This transition from a simple descriptive nickname to a fixed family name reflects the broader shift in how people were identified in English society as populations became more settled and record-keeping became more formal.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Daw
A medieval pet form of the name David meaning beloved.
This name
DowsonA patronymic surname meaning son of David.
also spelled
Douson
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Bardsley, C.W., A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
