Map of England showing where the Howey arms are recorded
The Howey arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Howey 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Howey Family in England
The surname Howey is primarily rooted in the northern regions of England and the Scottish Borders, though it established a notable presence in the county of Devon by the early seventeenth century. Etymologists generally trace the name to the Old Norse word "haugr," which refers to a hill or a burial mound, suggesting that the earliest ancestors were likely people who lived near such geographical landmarks. By 1620, families bearing this name were documented in Devon records, indicating that they had moved south, perhaps seeking new opportunities in trade or agriculture during the reign of King James I. These early settlers were typically yeoman farmers or skilled tradespeople who integrated into the local parish life of the West Country. Their presence in Devon highlights the internal migration patterns of the era, as families moved across the British Isles to establish roots in new communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hugh
Derived from the Germanic element hug meaning heart, mind, or spirit.
This name
HoweyA patronymic surname meaning son of Hugh or son of the mind.
also spelled
Howey
Howie
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, 1991
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
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
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
