A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Howitt family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4810 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au chev. d'arg., acc. de trois chouettes du même. C.: une chouette, perchée sur un tronc d'arbre, posé en fasce, le tout au nat. S.: un faucon et un griffon, tous deux d'or, ornés chacun d'un collier d'azur ch. de trois bes. d'or. D.: BE JUST AND FEAR NOT.”
Francec. 1768
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Map of France showing where the Howitt arms are recorded
The Howitt arms were recorded in France, c. 1768.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Howitt arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Howitt Family in France
The history of the Howitt name in France is deeply tied to the coastal region of Bretagne, where records confirm the family was established by 1768. While the name is often associated with English origins, its presence in this French province suggests a history of migration and integration into local communities. During the eighteenth century, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit maritime or agricultural settings, which shaped their daily lives and social standing. The Howitt family likely navigated the unique cultural landscape of the region, which maintained its own distinct traditions and language separate from the rest of France. By settling in this area, early family members became part of the local history of the province, contributing to the growth and development of their specific parish or town. Their presence in 1768 serves as a clear starting point for tracing how the family adapted to life in a new country while maintaining their identity across generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, on a pile gu. three escallops of the first”
EnglandLondon, c. 1586
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Map of England showing where the Howitt arms are recorded
The Howitt arms were recorded in London, c. 1586.
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 France when the Howitt 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 England.
Origin & History of the Howitt Family in England
The surname Howitt is an English locative name that likely originated as a descriptive term for people living near a specific type of woodland clearing or a hollow. By the late sixteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in London, as evidenced by parish records from 1586. During this period, the city was a bustling center of trade and migration, drawing families from the countryside into urban life. The Howitts were part of this social shift, moving into the capital to participate in the growing merchant and artisan classes. As the name became more common in official documents, it evolved from its regional roots into a recognizable family identity within the city’s dense population. This transition reflects the broader movement of English families during the Elizabethan era, as they sought new opportunities in the rapidly expanding landscape of London.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hugo
Germanic root meaning heart, mind, or spirit.
This name
HowittA patronymic surname derived from the diminutive form of Hugh, meaning bright in mind or spirit.
also spelled
Hewet
Hewett
Hewit
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série B (Archives de la sénéchaussée d'Hennebont)
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Pocquet du Haut-Jussé, Barthélemy, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1937
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
