Map of England showing where the Fowler arms are recorded
The Fowler arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1548.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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.
Edward VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward VI of England
1547–1553
Reigning in England when the Fowler 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Fowler Family in England
The surname Fowler originated as an occupational name, identifying ancestors who worked as professional bird catchers or hunters. During the medieval period, these individuals were essential to the local economy because they supplied wild game for the tables of both commoners and the nobility. By the time the family was firmly established in the county of Middlesex in 1548, the name had become a permanent hereditary descriptor for families who lived off the land and the surrounding forests. As England transitioned through the sixteenth century, these families often settled into roles as tenant farmers or tradespeople within their local parishes. This period marked a time when surnames became fixed, allowing the Fowler name to be passed down through generations as a reflection of their traditional connection to the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. a cross or, betw. a pelican of the second feeding her young in the 1st and 4th quarters, and a cinquefoil ar. in the 2nd and 3rd”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Fowler arms are recorded
The Fowler arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Fowler arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Fowler Family in Scotland
The surname Fowler originated as an occupational name for someone who hunted or trapped wild birds. While the name has deep roots across Britain, its presence in Scotland became well-established by the mid-eighteenth century. Records confirm that members of the Fowler family were living in Edinburgh by 1748, a time when the city was undergoing significant social and intellectual changes. During this period, families with this name were often integrated into the urban life of the capital, working in various trades and contributing to the growing professional class. As the name spread through the Scottish Lowlands, it became a stable part of the local population, reflecting the broader movement of people toward cities during the Enlightenment. By settling in Edinburgh, these early Fowlers participated in the vibrant history of a city that served as the center of Scottish law, commerce, and culture.
Fowler Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
fugol
Old English word for a bird or fowl.
This name
FowlerAn occupational surname for a person who hunted or trapped wild birds.
also spelled
Fowlar
Foweler
Fouler
Related arms
Foulervariant spelling
Foullervariant spelling
Brownerecorded with Fowler, same area
Fordrecorded with Fowler, 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
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1548
London Metropolitan Archives, Middlesex Parish Records, 1548
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
cinquefoilHope and joy
