Map of England showing where the Howie arms are recorded
The Howie 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 Howie 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 Howie Family in England
The surname Howie has roots that trace back to the rugged landscapes of Scotland and Northern England before spreading further south. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family were firmly established in the county of Devon, as evidenced by records from 1620. The name itself is often linked to the Middle English word "how," which referred to a hill or a hollow. This suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely people who lived near a prominent mound or a sheltered valley. As families moved across the British Isles during this period, they carried their name into new regions, blending into the local communities of the West Country while maintaining their distinct identity. These early settlers in Devon were part of a broader movement of people seeking new opportunities in trade and agriculture during a time of great social change.
Howie Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Hugh
A Germanic name derived from the word for heart, mind, or spirit.
This name
HowieA diminutive form of the name Hugh, meaning son of the heart or mind.
also spelled
Howey
Howie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
Reaney, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
The National Archives, Kew. Exchequer: King's Remembrancer: Port Books, E 190
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
