A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gowing family of Ireland.
Reg. 4653 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Ar. on a mount vert a palm tree, therefrom a serpent descending ppr”
TipperaryTraverston · Tipperary, c. 1645
Where the Gowing Arms Were Recorded
Tipperary
Map of Ireland showing where the Gowing arms are recorded
The Gowing arms were recorded in Tipperary, c. 1645.
Tipperary was the best grazing land in Ireland, held by a small number of powerful families. Land of that value stayed in the same hands, and unbroken holding is what puts a name 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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Gowing 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 Tipperary.
Origin & History of the Gowing Family in Ireland
The surname Gowing is primarily associated with English origins, but its presence in Ireland dates back to at least the mid-seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the Gowing family were established in County Tipperary, a region that was undergoing significant social and political upheaval during the Irish Confederate Wars. During this era, families often migrated due to land grants, military service, or the shifting economic landscape of the seventeenth century. While the name likely evolved from Old English roots related to personal nicknames or occupational descriptions, its integration into the Tipperary landscape suggests that these early settlers became part of the complex tapestry of local Irish history. These ancestors lived through a time of great transition, helping to root the family name in the soil of Munster long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gabha
An Irish Gaelic term referring to a blacksmith or metal worker.
This name
GowingA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person who worked as a smith.
also spelled
Goeing
Gowing
Goyng
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Pender, Séamus, A Census of Ireland, circa 1659, 1939
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Tipperary, 1654–1656
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
