A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hawe family of England.
Reg. 8733 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Sa. a fesse humettée erm. betw. three griffins' heads erased of the last”
NorfolkBasingham · Norfolk, c. 1559
Where the Hawe Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Hawe arms are recorded
The Hawe arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1559.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Hawe 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Hawe Family in England
The surname Hawe is deeply rooted in the history of Norfolk, England, where records confirm the family was well-established by the year 1559. The name is believed to be topographical in origin, likely derived from the Old English word "haga," which referred to a hedge, an enclosure, or a piece of land surrounded by a fence. During the sixteenth century, families often took their names from the specific landscapes they cultivated or the locations where they resided. In Norfolk, the Hawe family were typically yeomen or small landowners who played a vital role in the agricultural life of their local parishes. By settling in this region, they became part of a long tradition of rural English life, contributing to the development of the county through generations of farming and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Haga
Old English word for an enclosure, hedge, or hawthorn bush.
This name
HaweA topographic name for someone who lived near a hedge or an enclosed piece of land.
also spelled
Haws
Related arms
Hawsvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Registers of Norfolk, 1559
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
