A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ewens family of England.
Reg. 8141 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
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 fesse wavy betw. two fleurs-de-lis or”
SomersetSomerset, c. 1620
Where the Ewens Arms Were Recorded
Somerset
Map of England showing where the Ewens arms are recorded
The Ewens arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1620.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 Ewens 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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Ewens Family in England
The surname Ewens is a patronymic name, meaning it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of Ewen. The name Ewen itself is derived from the Old Welsh name Owain, which is often translated as well-born or noble. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Somerset in England. During this period, the family members were often involved in the management of local lands and held positions within the rural gentry. Their residence in Somerset during the 1620s reflects a time when the family was becoming deeply rooted in the social and economic life of the West Country. As the name spread through parish records and legal documents, it became a distinct marker of this specific lineage, connecting the family to the linguistic traditions of the British Isles.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ewan
Derived from the Gaelic name Eòghann meaning born of the yew tree.
This name
EwensA patronymic surname indicating son of Ewan or son of John.
also spelled
Ewines
Ewins
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
Hanks, Patrick, Dictionary of American Family Names, 2003
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Somerset Archives, Diocese of Bath and Wells: 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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
