Gowar Coat of Arms Record & History

A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gowar family lines. Documented in 3 countries.

Reg. 4701 · Scottish, G–I

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Gowar Arms Were Recorded

Sutherland
Map of Scotland showing where the Gowar arms are recorded

The Gowar arms were recorded in Sutherland, c. 1748.

Sutherland was empty Highland country in the far north, held by a very small number of families. Land there rarely changed hands, and families who held it appear 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.

Region
Sutherland
First recorded
1748

Granting Authority for the Gowar Arms

Arms of Court of the Lord Lyon
Court of the Lord Lyon Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Authority

Court of the Lord Lyon

c. 1318-present

The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.

Portrait of George II of Great Britain
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period

George II of Great Britain

1727–1760

Reigning in Scotland when the Gowar 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 Sutherland.

Origin & History of the Gowar Family in Scotland

The family name Gowar has deep roots in the rugged landscape of Sutherland, Scotland, where members of the family were documented as early as 1748. During this period, the region was defined by a traditional clan-based society where families often lived in small, tight-knit farming communities. The name likely emerged as a descriptive identifier for individuals living in or near specific geographical features or those who practiced particular trades within the local parish. Life in eighteenth-century Sutherland was shaped by the harsh northern climate and the transition toward modern agricultural practices, which forced many families to adapt their way of life to survive on the land. By tracing these early records, we see the Gowar family as part of the resilient population that navigated the social and economic changes occurring in the Scottish Highlands during the mid-eighteenth century.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Gowar Arms Were Recorded

Worcester
Map of England showing where the Gowar arms are recorded

The Gowar arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1533.

Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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.

Region
Worcester
First recorded
1533

Granting Authority for the Gowar Arms

Arms of College of Arms
College of Arms Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Authority

College of Arms

1484-present

The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.

Portrait of Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII of England
Sovereign of the period

Henry VIII of England

1509–1547

Reigning in Scotland when the Gowar 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 Worcester.

Origin & History of the Gowar Family in England

The history of the Gowar family in England is firmly rooted in the city of Worcester, where records confirm their presence as early as 1533. During this period, the name was often spelled in various ways, reflecting the fluid nature of English surnames before standardized spelling became common. The family likely belonged to the growing class of tradespeople or local citizens who helped shape the economic life of the West Midlands. Living in a cathedral city like Worcester, members of the Gowar family would have been part of a tight-knit community influenced by the religious and political shifts of the sixteenth century. By remaining in this region for generations, the family established a lasting connection to the local landscape and the social fabric of early modern England.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Gowar Arms Were Recorded

Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Gowar arms are recorded

The Gowar arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.

Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.

Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.

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.

Region
Dublin
First recorded
1645

Granting Authority for the Gowar Arms

Arms of Ulster King of Arms
Ulster King of Arms Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Authority

Ulster King of Arms

1552-1943

The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.

Portrait of Charles I of England
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period

Charles I of England

1625–1649

Reigning in Scotland when the Gowar arms are first recorded.

How Arms Worked in Ireland

The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.

Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.

Origin & History of the Gowar Family in Ireland

The family name Gowar has roots in Ireland that can be traced back to the mid-seventeenth century, specifically appearing in records from Dublin around 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political change, and families with this name were likely part of the growing urban population navigating the complexities of post-rebellion Ireland. While the name may have arrived through migration or shifting linguistic patterns, its presence in the capital suggests that these early family members were integrated into the city’s administrative and social life. By living in Dublin during the 1640s, the Gowar family was positioned at the heart of Irish history, witnessing the significant upheavals that defined the era. Over time, the name became a small but steady thread in the fabric of the city, reflecting the broader movement of people who settled in Ireland and helped shape its developing urban identity.

Related Branches & Arms

Root word
Gaufridus

A Germanic name meaning territory or district peace.

This name
GowarA Scottish locational or patronymic surname derived from the Old French personal name Geoffrey.
also spelled
Gowar
Gowre

Documented Sources

Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884

National Records of Scotland, Sutherland Estate Papers, 1748

Adam, R. J., Papers on Sutherland Estate Management, 1972

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The Gowar arms on the framed, black wood
Framed, black wood 11 × 14 in, printed on heavy archival paper, framed in black wood and ready to hang.
$119.00
Free shipping
The Gowar arms on the set of 4 mugs
Set of 4 mugs Four matching 11 oz white ceramic mugs, dishwasher safe, the arms printed on each.
$49.99
Free shipping
The Gowar arms on the family cap - unisex
Family cap - unisex Walnut bill, cream crown, one size fits all. The arms on the front.
$39.99
Free shipping
The Gowar coat of arms
Digital archive pack Coat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
The Gowar arms on the framed, black wood
Framed, black wood 11 × 14 in, printed on heavy archival paper, framed in black wood and ready to hang.
$119.00
Free shipping
The Gowar arms on the set of 4 mugs
Set of 4 mugs Four matching 11 oz white ceramic mugs, dishwasher safe, the arms printed on each.
$49.99
Free shipping
The Gowar arms on the family cap - unisex
Family cap - unisex Walnut bill, cream crown, one size fits all. The arms on the front.
$39.99
Free shipping
The Gowar coat of arms
Digital archive pack Coat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.