A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ewart family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3281 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
swordJustice, and military honour
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, three swords, two in saltire and one in fess betw. a cross crosslet fitchée in chief and a dexter hand couped in base gu”
DownGlenmachan House · Down, c. 1645
Where the Ewart Arms Were Recorded
Down
Map of Ireland showing where the Ewart arms are recorded
The Ewart arms were recorded in Down, c. 1645.
Down was north-eastern Irish country settled from Scotland in the seventeenth century. The new landowners took grants and had them recorded, which is why so many Down families carry documented shields.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Ewart 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 Down.
Origin & History of the Ewart Family in Ireland
The Ewart family name has deep roots in the northern regions of Ireland, particularly within County Down, where records confirm their presence by 1645. The name is generally considered to be of Scottish origin, derived from a word meaning a shepherd or a guardian of ewes, and it likely arrived in Ireland during the period of the Plantation of Ulster. During the seventeenth century, many families from the Scottish Lowlands moved across the North Channel to settle in the fertile lands of County Down. These early settlers were often farmers or tradespeople who integrated into the local community while maintaining their distinct cultural and religious ties to Scotland. Over the following generations, the Ewart family became well-established in the region, contributing to the local economy and the development of the rural landscape in the northeast of Ireland.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
handFaith, sincerity and justice
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. on a fesse az. betw. a dexter hand couped in chief and a heart in base gu. two swords in saltire of the field, hilted and pommelled or”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Ewart Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Ewart arms are recorded
The Ewart arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Ireland when the Ewart arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Ewart Family in Scotland
The surname Ewart has deep roots in the Scottish Lowlands, where it emerged as a locational or occupational name linked to the rugged landscapes of the border regions. While the name appears in various historical documents throughout the centuries, it gained significant prominence in the urban center of Edinburgh by the mid-18th century. By 1748, families bearing the Ewart name were firmly established within the capital, participating in the city’s bustling trade and legal sectors during a time of great cultural growth. These early residents were part of a growing middle class that helped shape the social fabric of Scotland as the country transitioned into the modern era. The name reflects a long history of migration and settlement, moving from the rural southern territories into the heart of Scottish civic life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ewe-herd
A person who tends or guards a flock of female sheep.
This name
EwartAn occupational surname for a shepherd who specifically managed ewes.
also spelled
Ewarth
Eworte
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bell, Robert. The Book of Ulster Surnames, 1988
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Hearth Money Rolls for County Down, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
swordJustice, and military honour
handFaith, sincerity and justice
cross symbolChristian faith and service
swordJustice, and military honour
handFaith, sincerity and justice
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
