A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Edwin family of England.
Reg. 3050 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 cross betw. four Cornish choughs sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Edwin Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Edwin arms are recorded
The Edwin 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 Edwin 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 Edwin Family in England
The name Edwin originates from the Old English words "ead," meaning wealth or prosperity, and "wine," meaning friend. This combination translates to a wealthy friend or a protector of riches. By the time the family was established in York during the early 17th century, the name had evolved from a popular Anglo-Saxon given name into a stable hereditary surname. Living in York in 1620 placed the family at the heart of a major northern trade hub, where they likely participated in the city’s vibrant mercantile or craft guilds. During this period, families often settled in specific parishes, and the presence of the Edwin name in local records suggests they were part of the established urban community that helped shape the social and economic life of Yorkshire before the onset of the English Civil War.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eadwine
Derived from Old English elements meaning prosperity or riches and friend.
This name
EdwinA name signifying a wealthy or prosperous friend.
also spelled
Edwyn
Related arms
Edwynvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of York, 1620
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
