Map of England showing where the Laws arms are recorded
The Laws arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1584.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 England when the Laws 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Laws Family in England
The surname Laws is a patronymic name, which means it originated from the first name of a father or ancestor. It is derived from the medieval nickname Law, which served as a common shorthand for the name Lawrence. By the time the family was firmly established in Norfolk in 1584, the name had evolved from a personal identifier into a permanent hereditary surname. During this period, many families in East Anglia were deeply involved in local agriculture and the thriving wool trade. Because Norfolk was a center of economic activity and trade during the late sixteenth century, families like the Laws often held roles as yeoman farmers or local tradespeople. These families helped build the social fabric of the region by participating in parish life and community governance. Over generations, the spelling of the name became standardized as families settled into specific villages and towns across the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lag
Old Norse term meaning law or a specific legal decree.
This name
LawsA patronymic or occupational name referring to a person who lived by the law.
also spelled
Lawes
Lawis
Law
Related arms
Lawevariant spelling
Lawesvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Norfolk Record Office, Parish registers for the Diocese of Norwich, 1584
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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
