Map of England showing where the Howes arms are recorded
The Howes arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1614.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Howes 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Howes Family in England
The surname Howes is rooted in the Old English language and typically refers to a person who lived near a hill or a burial mound. The word itself comes from the Old Norse term haugr, which describes a natural elevation or an ancient earthwork. By the early 17th century, the family had established a clear presence in the county of Essex, England. Records from 1614 show members of the Howes family living in this region, where they were likely involved in local agriculture or trade. Over time, the name evolved from simple descriptive labels used to identify neighbors into a permanent family identifier passed down through generations. These early ancestors were part of the rural fabric of Essex, contributing to the local community long before the name spread to other parts of the world.
Howes Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Howe
Derived from the Old Norse word haugr meaning a hill or mound.
This name
HowesA topographical surname for someone who lived near a prominent hill or burial mound.
also spelled
Howse
Howis
Howys
Related arms
Howsevariant 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 British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Quarter Sessions Rolls, Q/SR 208/10 (1614)
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
wolfReward from long service and hard work
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
wolfReward from long service and hard work
