Map of England showing where the Lawshe arms are recorded
The Lawshe 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 Lawshe 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 Lawshe Family in England
The history of the Lawshe family is rooted in the coastal region of Norfolk, England, where records confirm their presence as early as 1584. During this period, Norfolk was a bustling hub of trade and agriculture, and families like the Lawshes were often tied to the local land or the growing merchant classes of East Anglia. The name itself likely evolved from a geographical descriptor or a nickname used to identify individuals within their small village communities. As the family grew, members moved through the rural parishes of the county, living through the significant social and economic shifts of the Elizabethan era. By maintaining a consistent presence in the region for generations, the early Lawshes became part of the fabric of local Norfolk life before many of their descendants eventually sought new opportunities across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lage
Old English word for a low-lying area or meadow.
This name
LawsheA topographical surname for someone who lived near a low-lying meadow or pasture.
also spelled
Lawes
Lawis
Law
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Norfolk Record Office, Archdeaconry of Norfolk Wills and Administrations, 1584
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk, 1885
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
