Map of England showing where the Howson arms are recorded
The Howson arms were recorded in Durham, c. 1605.
Durham was governed by its bishop rather than the crown for most of its history, with its own courts and its own landed class. That separate world produced a tight group of families, nearly all of whom held 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 Howson 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 Durham.
Origin & History of the Howson Family in England
The surname Howson is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of someone named How. In Northern England, How was a common nickname for Hugh, a name of Germanic origin that became very popular after the Norman Conquest. By the early 17th century, the Howson family had established a notable presence in the county of Durham. Records from 1605 confirm that members of the family were living and working in this region during a time of significant social change. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of Northern English life, often working in trades or agriculture that defined the economy of the Durham area. Over the generations, the name remained tied to these northern roots, serving as a lasting link to the ancestors who first settled in the rugged landscape of the northeast.
Howson Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Hugh
A Germanic name derived from the word for mind or heart.
This name
HowsonA patronymic surname meaning son of Hugh.
also spelled
Howsun
Related arms
Housson, or Howsonsimilar arms
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
Durham County Record Office, Durham Diocesan Records, 1605
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
