Map of England showing where the Howell arms are recorded
The Howell arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1574.
Oxfordshire was farming country with the university at its centre, and both produced families of standing. Scholars and lawyers who did well bought manors nearby, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Howell 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 Oxford.
Origin & History of the Howell Family in England
The surname Howell is a patronymic name, meaning it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Hywel. The name Hywel itself is of Welsh origin and translates to mean eminent or conspicuous. While the name has deep roots in Wales, members of the family moved across the border into England as trade and social mobility increased during the sixteenth century. By 1574, records confirm that individuals bearing the name were established in the university city of Oxford. During this period, Oxford was a hub of intellectual and economic activity, attracting ambitious families from the Welsh borders who sought opportunities in academia, law, and local governance. This migration reflects a broader trend of Welsh families integrating into English society while maintaining their distinct cultural heritage through their ancestral names.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. three towers triple-towered ar”
MonmouthCaerleon-upon-Uske · Monmouth, c. 1647
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Map of Wales showing where the Howell arms are recorded
The Howell arms were recorded in Monmouth, c. 1647.
Monmouthshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families were expected to arm and to fight, and fighting households carried shields of their own.
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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Howell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Monmouth.
Origin & History of the Howell Family in Wales
The surname Howell finds its roots in the ancient Welsh personal name Hywel, which translates to eminent or conspicuous. This name was famously held by Hywel Dda, a tenth-century king who is remembered for codifying the laws of Wales. Over many centuries, the name evolved from a first name into a hereditary surname as families began to adopt fixed last names to distinguish themselves. By the mid-seventeenth century, the Howell family had established a notable presence in the border region of Monmouth. Records from 1647 confirm that members of the family were active in this area during a time of significant political upheaval in Britain. Living near the border between Wales and England, these early ancestors were part of a society that was transitioning from traditional Welsh naming customs toward the more rigid English system of surnames.
Howell Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Hywel
A Welsh personal name derived from the word for eminent or conspicuous.
This name
HowellAn anglicized patronymic surname meaning son of the eminent or visible one.
also spelled
Howill
Related arms
Busfeildsimilar arms
Ackersrecorded with Howell, same area
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
Morgan, T.J. and Morgan, P., Welsh Surnames, 1985
Oxfordshire History Centre, Oxford City Council Records: Records of the Freemen of the City of Oxford, 1574
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
