A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Haward family of England.
Reg. 9990 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bullValour and generosity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
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 bull's head cabossed betw. three mullets sa”
KentIsle · Kent, c. 1620
Where the Haward Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Haward arms are recorded
The Haward arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Haward 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Haward Family in England
The surname Haward is a variation of the ancient name Howard, which likely originated from the Old English name Haward or the Old Norse name Heward. During the early seventeenth century, the name was well-established in the county of Kent, England. Families bearing this name were often involved in the agricultural and maritime life that defined the region during the reign of King James I. By 1620, individuals named Haward were documented as settled members of the Kentish community, likely working as tradesmen or landowners who contributed to the local economy. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant social change in England, and their presence in historical records from this era highlights their role in the long-standing history of the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heweard
Old English elements meaning high or chief and guardian or protector.
This name
HawardA topographic or occupational name for a high-ranking watchman or guardian of an enclosure.
also spelled
Hawart
Related arms
Arnwaysame arms
Harwoodsimilar arms
Haywardvariant spelling
Heywardvariant spelling
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
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Kent Archives and Local History Service, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury: Wills and Administrations, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bullValour and generosity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bullValour and generosity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
