Map of England showing where the Gowling arms are recorded
The Gowling arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Gowling 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 England.
Origin & History of the Gowling Family in England
The surname Gowling is deeply rooted in the history of Northern England, with clear evidence of the family residing in the city of York by the year 1620. The name is generally considered to be a topographical or locational surname, likely originating from a specific place or a descriptive nickname used to identify early ancestors. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Gowlings were often integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. By establishing their presence in such a significant urban hub, these early family members were part of a growing class of citizens who helped shape the social and administrative landscape of Yorkshire. Over the following generations, the family name spread from these urban roots into the surrounding rural districts, maintaining a consistent presence in the historical records of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Goll
Old Norse term meaning a stranger or a guest.
This name
GowlingA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person known as the stranger or guest.
also spelled
Goylyng
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
