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
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
leafHappiness and abundance
harpWell-tuned governance and love of music
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Quarterly of eight, 1st, quarterly, 1st and 4th, barry of eight or and gu. over all a cross flory sa., for GOWER, 2nd and 3rd az. three laurel leaves or, for LEVESON; 2nd, barry of eight ar. and gu. over all a cross patonce sa., for GOWER; 3rd, gu. three organ rests or sufflues or, for GRANVILLE, Earl of Bath; 4th, ar. a lion ramp. gu. betw. three pheons' heads sa., for EGERTON, Duke of Bridgewater; 5th, ar. on a bend az. three bucks' heads cabossed or, for STANLEY; 6th, gu. two lions pass. ar. for STRANGE, of Knockyn; 7th, barry of ten ar. and gu. over all a lion ramp. or, crowned per pale of the first and second, for BRANDON, Duke of Suffolk, on a canton chequy or and az. a fesse gu., for CLIFFORD, Earl of Cumberland; 8th, Royal arms, over all on an escutcheon of pretence, surmounted by an earl's coronet gu. three stars within a bordure or, charged with a double tressure flory counterflory of the field, being the arms of the ancient Earls of Sutherland”
SutherlandSutherland, c. 1748
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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.
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 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
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 chev. betw. three talbots pass. ar”
WorcesterWorcester, c. 1533
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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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
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
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Barry of six ar. and gu. in chief three pallets”
Irelandc. 1645
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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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
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
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