A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Harwood family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1170 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, a chev. betw. three stags' heads cabossed sa. each holding in the mouth a sprig of oak ppr. fructed of the first”
SalopSalop, c. 1620
Where the Harwood Arms Were Recorded
Salop
Map of England showing where the Harwood arms are recorded
The Harwood arms were recorded in Salop, c. 1620.
Shropshire lay on the Welsh border, and border country needed men who could fight. Families held their land in return for service, and service in arms is what a coat of arms was originally for.
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 Harwood 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 Salop.
Origin & History of the Harwood Family in England
The surname Harwood is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal trait. In Old English, the name is derived from the words "hara," meaning a hare, and "wudu," meaning a wood. This suggests that the earliest families bearing this name likely lived near a forest clearing or a woodland area known for its population of hares. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Salop, also known as Shropshire. During this period, the Harwood family became deeply integrated into the local community, often serving in roles related to land management and regional administration. Their transition from rural woodland dwellers to established landowners in the West Midlands reflects the broader social mobility seen in England during the late Tudor and early Stuart eras.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 chev. betw. three stags' heads cabossed gu. as many eagles displ. or”
ScotlandPorchester Terrace, c. 1748
Where the Harwood Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Harwood arms are recorded
The Harwood arms were recorded in Porchester Terrace, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 England when the Harwood 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 Scotland.
Origin & History of the Harwood Family in Scotland
The name Harwood is derived from Old English roots, typically describing someone who lived near a grey wood or a hare-filled forest. While the name has deep origins in England, the family established a notable presence in Scotland by the mid-eighteenth century. By 1748, records confirm that members of the Harwood family were settled in Edinburgh, which was then a bustling center of the Scottish Enlightenment. During this period, the city was undergoing rapid social and architectural changes as it expanded beyond its medieval walls. Families like the Harwoods were part of this urban growth, often participating in the professional and mercantile life that defined the capital. Their presence in Edinburgh suggests they were integrated into the city’s evolving middle class, contributing to the vibrant cultural and economic atmosphere of Scotland during the mid-1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hara and Wudu
Old English terms for a grey or hare-colored forest or wood.
This name
HarwoodA habitational name referring to someone who lived near a grey-colored forest or wood.
also spelled
Harward
Related arms
Hawardsimilar arms
Harewardvariant spelling
Harewoodvariant spelling
Harwardvariant spelling
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
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1936
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1603–1625
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
