Gower Coat of Arms Record & History

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

Reg. 2873 · Scottish, G–I

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

The Gower arms on the framed, black wood
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The Gower coat of arms
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Where the Gower Arms Were Recorded

Sutherland
Map of Scotland showing where the Gower arms are recorded

The Gower 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 Gower 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 Gower 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 Gower Family in Scotland

The history of the Gower name in Scotland is deeply tied to the rugged landscape of the northern Highlands. While the name has roots in other parts of Britain, records confirm that family members were well established in the county of Sutherland by 1748. During this period, the region was defined by a traditional clan-based society where families lived in close-knit communities connected to the land. The Gowers in Sutherland likely worked as tenant farmers or skilled laborers who navigated the difficult economic shifts of the eighteenth century. As the Highland way of life began to change due to political unrest and the transition toward large-scale sheep farming, these early settlers maintained their presence in the north. Their story reflects the resilience of families who stayed rooted in the remote glens of Sutherland despite the immense social pressures that forced many others to leave the region.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

The Gower 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 Gower 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 Gower 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 Gower 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.

Where the Gower Arms Were Recorded

Worcester
Map of England showing where the Gower arms are recorded

The Gower 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 Gower 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 Gower 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 Gower Family in England

The Gower family name has deep roots in English history, often associated with the geographic landscape of the region. The name is believed to be locational, likely originating from the Gower Peninsula in South Wales or from individuals who moved from that area into the English Midlands. By the early sixteenth century, the family established a notable presence in Worcester, as evidenced by records from 1533. During this era, families often settled in growing market towns to participate in trade and local administration. The Gowers in Worcester were part of a period of social transition where surnames became more fixed and hereditary. Their presence in the city suggests they were integrated into the local community, likely working as merchants or landowners who helped shape the civic life of the region during the Tudor period.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

The Gower 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 Gower 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 Gower 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 Gower 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.

Where the Gower Arms Were Recorded

Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Gower arms are recorded

The Gower 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 Gower 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 Gower 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 Gower Family in Ireland

The Gower family name has deep roots that stretch back to the mid-seventeenth century in Ireland. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin by 1645, a time when the city was a center of significant political and social change. While the name is often associated with English origins, its presence in Ireland grew as families moved across the Irish Sea for trade, military service, or land administration. These early settlers in Dublin likely integrated into the urban merchant and professional classes that defined the capital during the mid-1600s. By settling in such a prominent administrative hub, the Gower family became part of the complex social fabric of seventeenth-century Ireland, contributing to the city's development during a period of intense historical transition.

Gower Meaning & Related Branches

Root word
Gaufridus

A Germanic name meaning territory or peace of the Goths.

This name
GowerA locational surname derived from the Gower Peninsula in Wales or a derivative of the name Godfrey.
also spelled
Gowar
Gowre
Related arms
Gorevariant spelling
Goure, or Gowervariant spelling
Belialdrecorded with Gower, same area
Bondrecorded with Gower, same area

Documented Sources

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

Adam, R. J., Sutherland Estate Management, 1780-1820, 1972

National Records of Scotland, Sutherland Estate Papers, GD846

Richards, Eric, A History of the Highland Clearances, 1982

The Gower arms on the framed, black wood
Framed, black wood11 × 14 in, printed on heavy archival paper, framed in black wood and ready to hang.
$119.00
Free shipping
The Gower arms on the set of 4 mugs
Set of 4 mugsFour matching 11 oz white ceramic mugs, dishwasher safe, the arms printed on each.
$49.99
Free shipping
The Gower arms on the family cap - unisex
Family cap - unisexWalnut bill, cream crown, one size fits all. The arms on the front.
$39.99
Free shipping
The Gower 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 Gower arms on the framed, black wood
Framed, black wood11 × 14 in, printed on heavy archival paper, framed in black wood and ready to hang.
$119.00
Free shipping
The Gower arms on the set of 4 mugs
Set of 4 mugsFour matching 11 oz white ceramic mugs, dishwasher safe, the arms printed on each.
$49.99
Free shipping
The Gower arms on the family cap - unisex
Family cap - unisexWalnut bill, cream crown, one size fits all. The arms on the front.
$39.99
Free shipping
The Gower 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 Gower arms on the framed, black wood
Framed, black wood11 × 14 in, printed on heavy archival paper, framed in black wood and ready to hang.
$119.00
Free shipping
The Gower arms on the set of 4 mugs
Set of 4 mugsFour matching 11 oz white ceramic mugs, dishwasher safe, the arms printed on each.
$49.99
Free shipping
The Gower arms on the family cap - unisex
Family cap - unisexWalnut bill, cream crown, one size fits all. The arms on the front.
$39.99
Free shipping
The Gower 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.