A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ewins family of England.
Reg. 4874 · 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 Ewins Arms Were Recorded
Somerset
Map of England showing where the Ewins arms are recorded
The Ewins 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 Ewins 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 Ewins Family in England
The surname Ewins traces its roots back to the ancient personal name Ewan, which is derived from the Gaelic name Eoghan. Over many centuries, this name evolved into a hereditary surname as families began to adopt fixed last names to distinguish themselves in growing communities. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Ewins family were well-established in the county of Somerset in England. During this period, families in Somerset were often involved in local agriculture or trade, living in small rural parishes where they maintained deep ties to the land. The name likely spread as younger generations moved to neighboring villages or towns in search of work, carrying their family identity with them across the English countryside. This transition from a simple given name to a permanent family identifier reflects the broader social changes occurring in England as record-keeping became more formal and communities became more settled.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eadwine
Old English elements meaning prosperous or rich and friend.
This name
EwinsA patronymic surname signifying son of the prosperous friend.
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
Somerset Archives, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
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
