Map of Wales showing where the Lewallen arms are recorded
The Lewallen arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Lewallen arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Lewallen Family in Wales
The surname Lewallen is primarily recognized as a variation of the Welsh name Llewellyn, which carries the ancient meaning of a leader or a lion-like figure. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family had established a presence in the Denbigh area of Wales. Historical records confirm that individuals bearing this name were living in Denbigh by 1647, a period marked by significant social and political upheaval in Britain. As these families moved through the seventeenth century, the spelling of the name often shifted to reflect local pronunciations and the transition from the Welsh language to English. This evolution helped the name persist as it moved from its regional roots in Denbigh into broader British society and eventually across the Atlantic to the American colonies.
Lewallen Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Llewellyn
Derived from the Welsh elements for lion and leader or likeness.
This name
LewallenAn Anglicized form of a Welsh personal name signifying a lion-like leader or ruler.
also spelled
Lewellin
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Dodd, A.H., Studies in Stuart Wales, 1952
National Library of Wales, Denbighshire Quarter Sessions Records, 1647
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
