Map of England showing where the Howington arms are recorded
The Howington 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 Howington 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 Howington Family in England
The Howington surname finds its earliest documented roots in the rugged landscape of Devon, England, during the early seventeenth century. By 1620, families bearing this name were already established in the region, likely living as tenant farmers or skilled tradespeople who contributed to the local wool and agricultural industries. The name itself is thought to be locative in origin, meaning it was likely derived from a specific homestead or small settlement known as "Howington" that existed within the county. During this period, life in Devon was defined by tight-knit parish communities and the influence of the local gentry, and the Howington family would have been deeply integrated into the social and economic rhythms of village life. As the century progressed, these early settlers helped shape the identity of their local parishes through their presence in church records and land deeds, marking the beginning of a long family history that eventually spread far beyond the borders of the English West Country.
Howington Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Howington
Derived from the Old English elements for a farmstead or enclosure.
This name
HowingtonRefers to a person who originated from a specific settlement or farmstead belonging to the Howa family.
also spelled
Hingeston
Hingstoun
Hingstowne
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
Hoskins, W. G., Devon, 1954
Reaney, P. H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
