A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Elwyn family of England.
Reg. 3763 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
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)
“Gu. three scoops fess-ways, and in base as many crescents ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Elwyn Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Elwyn arms are recorded
The Elwyn 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 Elwyn 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 Elwyn Family in England
The surname Elwyn is rooted in the Old English language, derived from the given name Ælfwine, which translates to "elf friend." While the name has ancient linguistic origins, historical records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the city of York by the year 1620. During this period, York was a bustling northern hub, and families like the Elwyns were often involved in the local trade and civic life that defined the region. As the name spread through northern England, it evolved in spelling and pronunciation, reflecting the shifting dialects of the time. By settling in a major center like York, the early members of this family were part of a growing urban middle class that helped shape the social and economic landscape of seventeenth-century England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ælfwine
Old English elements meaning elf and friend.
This name
ElwynDerived from the Old English name meaning elf friend or friend of the elves.
also spelled
Elwin
Elwynne
Related arms
Elwinvariant spelling
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
