A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ewen family of England.
Reg. 6458 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
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. a chev. betw. three fleurs-de-lis or”
EssexEssex, c. 1620
Where the Ewen Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Ewen arms are recorded
The Ewen arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Ewen 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Ewen Family in England
The surname Ewen is rooted in ancient linguistic traditions, primarily evolving from the Old Gaelic name Eoghan, which means born of the yew tree or noble youth. While the name has deep connections to Scotland and the northern regions of Britain, records confirm that members of the Ewen family were firmly established in Essex by 1620. During this period, families in Essex often lived in rural agricultural communities where they worked as skilled tradespeople or yeoman farmers. The migration of the name into southern England reflects the broader movement of people across the British Isles during the early seventeenth century. As these families settled into their new surroundings, they helped shape the local social landscape through their roles in parish life and community governance.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eoghan
Derived from the Gaelic word for born of the yew tree.
This name
EwenA surname of Scottish and English origin signifying youth or born of the yew.
also spelled
Ewin
Ewyn
Related arms
Eywenvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
Reaney, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
