Map of Wales showing where the Gowin arms are recorded
The Gowin arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Gowin arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Gowin Family in Wales
The family name Gowin carries deep roots that trace back to the rugged landscapes of Wales. Historical records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the town of Denbigh by 1647. During this period, Denbigh was a significant center for trade and local government, placing the family in a region defined by its ancient stone castle and shifting political loyalties. The name itself is often linked to the Welsh language, potentially evolving from personal names or descriptive terms used to identify individuals within their tight-knit communities. As these early ancestors lived and worked in Denbigh, they contributed to the local economy and social fabric of the area. Their presence in such a historic town suggests that the family was well-integrated into the regional life of North Wales during the mid-seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gwyn
Welsh word meaning white, fair, or blessed.
This name
GowinDerived from a personal name signifying a fair or white-complexioned individual.
also spelled
Gwyn
Gwynn
Gwynne
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Library of Wales, Denbigh Borough Records, 1647
Williams, G., The Welsh Church from Conquest to Reformation, 1962
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bordureA difference between branches of one family
bordureA difference between branches of one family
