A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goodlow family of England.
Reg. 1387 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. a chev. ar. betw. two leopards' faces in chief, and a cross pattée fitchée in base or”
LancasterAspall · Lancaster, c. 1581
Where the Goodlow Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Goodlow arms are recorded
The Goodlow arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1581.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Goodlow 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Goodlow Family in England
The family name Goodlow originates from the historic county of Lancashire in Northern England. Records show that members of the family were established in the town of Lancaster as early as 1581. The name is believed to be a descriptive surname, likely derived from Old English roots that combined words for "good" and a term for a hill, mound, or burial place. During the late sixteenth century, families in this region were often involved in local agriculture, trade, or the growing textile industry that defined the area. As the family grew, they became part of the local community fabric in Lancaster, leaving behind traces in parish registers and legal documents that track their presence through the generations. This early history reflects the typical movement and settlement patterns of families living in the North of England during the Elizabethan era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Godelaf
Old Norse name meaning god and relic or descendant.
This name
GoodlowA locational or descriptive surname derived from Old English elements meaning good mound or hill.
also spelled
Goodlow
Goodlowe
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster Parish Church: Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1581
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
