A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gowland family of England.
Reg. 4289 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Per pale gu. and az. two bars or, betw. three bezants in chief and a pheon in base ar”
DurhamDurham, c. 1749
Where the Gowland Arms Were Recorded
Durham
Map of England showing where the Gowland arms are recorded
The Gowland arms were recorded in Durham, c. 1749.
Durham was governed by its bishop rather than the crown for most of its history, with its own courts and its own landed class. That separate world produced a tight group of families, nearly all of whom held 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.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Gowland 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 Durham.
Origin & History of the Gowland Family in England
The name Gowland is a locative surname, meaning it likely originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a nickname. Etymologists believe the name is derived from the Old Norse words "gol" and "lundr," which together describe a grove or a small wood. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name lived near a distinctive wooded area in Northern England. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a firm presence in the County of Durham. Records from 1749 confirm that members of the Gowland family were active in the region during this period, likely working in the local agricultural or mining industries that defined the North East at the time. As the family grew, they became deeply rooted in the local community, contributing to the social and economic development of the Durham area for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gudland
Old Norse elements meaning good land or fertile territory.
This name
GowlandDerived from a topographic location referring to a person who lived on good or productive land.
also spelled
Gowlandt
Gowlan
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Durham County Record Office, Durham Bishop's Transcripts, 1749
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
