A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ewbank family of England.
Reg. 4858 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa. three chev. interlaced in base or, on a chief of the last as many pellets”
DurhamDurham, c. 1620
Where the Ewbank Arms Were Recorded
Durham
Map of England showing where the Ewbank arms are recorded
The Ewbank arms were recorded in Durham, c. 1620.
Durham was governed by its bishop rather than the crown for most of its history, with its own courts and its own landed class. That separate world produced a tight group of families, nearly all of whom held 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 Ewbank 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 Durham.
Origin & History of the Ewbank Family in England
The surname Ewbank is a locational name that originated in the northern regions of England, specifically near the borderlands of Westmorland and County Durham. The name is derived from the Old Norse words "ew" or "eow," meaning yew tree, and "bank," which refers to a slope or a hillside. This suggests that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent ridge or riverbank where yew trees grew. By the early 17th century, the family had established a firm presence in County Durham, as evidenced by parish records from 1620. During this period, members of the family were often associated with the agricultural and mining landscapes of the North East, living in small rural communities where they developed deep roots in the local parish life. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the local economy and the historical development of the Durham area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ewe-bank
A ridge or slope where female sheep graze.
This name
EwbankA topographical surname referring to someone who lived near a hillside pasture for ewes.
also spelled
Ewbancke
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Durham County Record Office, Bishop's Transcripts of Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
