Map of England showing where the Howley arms are recorded
The Howley arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Howley 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 Howley Family in England
The surname Howley is primarily of English origin and is linked to the geography of the northern counties. The name is locative, meaning it was likely adopted by families living near a specific place called Howley, which translates from Old English as a clearing near a hill. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Howley family were active residents there by 1620, a time when the city served as a major center for trade and religious administration in Northern England. As these families settled into urban life, they contributed to the local economy and social structure of the region. Over the following generations, the name spread from these northern roots to other parts of the country as families moved to pursue new opportunities in commerce and agriculture.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Haga and leah
Old English for an enclosure or hedge and a woodland clearing.
This name
HowleyDerived from a topographical location referring to a clearing near a hedged enclosure.
also spelled
Howly
Howleigh
Howlay
Related arms
Howlyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
