Map of England showing where the Fowell arms are recorded
The Fowell arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Fowell 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 England.
Origin & History of the Fowell Family in England
The surname Fowell is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Middle English word "foul," which meant bird or fowl. In the medieval period, such names were often given to people who worked with poultry or possessed traits associated with a specific bird. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Fowell family were living and working within this northern hub during a time of significant social and economic change. As residents of York, they would have been part of a bustling urban community defined by its ancient walls, trade guilds, and proximity to the Minster. Over the following generations, the family name became firmly rooted in the region, reflecting the broader history of English families who transitioned from rural occupations to life in growing provincial cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Foul
Derived from the Old English word for a bird or fowl.
This name
FowellA topographical or occupational name referring to a bird catcher or keeper.
also spelled
Fauell
Related arms
Fowlevariant spelling
Bellotrecorded with Fowell, same area
Smytherecorded with Fowell, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
