A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fowle family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
treeLife, endurance and deep rootsJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à trois arbres au nat.”
The Fowle arms were recorded in Boston, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Reigning in France when the Fowle arms are first recorded.
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
The history of the Fowle family in France is deeply connected to the distinct cultural landscape of the Bretagne region during the early eighteenth century. By 1725, records confirm that members of the family were established within this northwestern province, a territory known for its strong sense of local identity and its unique linguistic heritage. During this period, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit rural communities where they contributed to the local agricultural economy and participated in the traditions of the parish. Life in this region was shaped by the influence of the Catholic Church and the specific social hierarchies of the French provinces under the Ancien Régime. The presence of the Fowle name in this area suggests that the family was part of the broader demographic shifts occurring in rural France, where families often remained rooted in specific villages for generations to maintain their livelihoods and community ties.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from aboveSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. a chev. gu. on a chief of the last three mullets of the first”
The Fowle arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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.
Reigning in France when the Fowle arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Fowle is deeply rooted in the landscape of medieval England, particularly within the county of Kent. The name originated as a descriptive nickname, likely referring to a person who was skilled at catching wild birds or perhaps someone who possessed bird-like characteristics. By the early 17th century, the family had established a strong presence in the Kentish countryside, where they lived as landholders and members of the local community. Records from 1620 confirm that the Fowle family was well-integrated into the social and economic fabric of the region during this era. Their history reflects the broader patterns of English life, as families often remained tied to specific geographic areas for generations, building their livelihoods through agriculture and local trade. This long-standing connection to Kent provides a clear window into the lives of early ancestors who helped shape the identity of the region long before the family expanded further across the globe.
Old French term for a madman or a fool.
