A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fowles family of England.
Reg. 7584 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
leafHappiness and abundance
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Ar. three laurel leaves erect vert”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fowles Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fowles arms are recorded
The Fowles 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 Fowles 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 Fowles Family in England
The surname Fowles is rooted in the medieval tradition of descriptive nicknames, likely originating from the Middle English word "foul," which referred to a bird or a person with bird-like traits. 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 Fowles family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern English hub. During this era, York was a center for trade and religious administration, and families like the Fowles often held roles as merchants or skilled craftsmen. Their presence in the city suggests they were part of the growing middle class that helped shape the local community during the transition into the Stuart period. As they navigated the challenges of life in a bustling cathedral city, the family name became firmly woven into the regional history of Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fugel
Old English term for a bird or winged creature.
This name
FowlesA nickname for a person who resembled a bird or was a bird catcher.
also spelled
Foulis
Fowlis
Related arms
Foulisvariant spelling
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, 1997
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York, Archbishop of York Diocesan Records
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leafHappiness and abundance
leafHappiness and abundance
