Map of England showing where the Lowman arms are recorded
The Lowman arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Lowman 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Lowman Family in England
The surname Lowman is deeply rooted in the history of southwestern England, with significant records placing the family in the county of Devon by the early seventeenth century. The name is generally considered a topographic or locational surname, likely derived from the Old English term for someone who lived near a specific landmark or a low-lying area. During the 1600s, families bearing this name were often involved in the agricultural and mercantile life of the region, contributing to the local economy of Devon’s rural parishes. As the family grew, members became established as yeomen and tradespeople, reflecting the steady rise of the middle class in pre-industrial England. By 1620, the Lowman name was already well-integrated into the social fabric of the West Country, where it remained a persistent presence for generations.
Lowman Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Lof
Old English word meaning praise, glory, or beloved.
This name
LowmanA descriptive occupational or nickname referring to a beloved person or a servant of a praised individual.
also spelled
Loman
Lowmon
Related arms
Gooderecorded with Lowman, same area
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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Register Transcripts for Devon, 1600-1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
