A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Lowther family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9468 · French, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à six annelets de sa. C.: un dragon ailé d'arg., pass. S.: deux chevaux d'arg., coll. d'une couronne de laurier de sin. D.: MAGISTRATUS INDICAT VIRUM.”
Francec. 1764
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Map of France showing where the Lowther arms are recorded
The Lowther arms were recorded in France, c. 1764.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Lowther arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Lowther Family in France
The history of the Lowther name in France is deeply tied to the coastal region of Bretagne, where members of the family established a presence by 1764. While the name is often associated with northern England, its appearance in French records during the eighteenth century suggests a migration driven by trade, military service, or political shifts across the English Channel. Families living in Bretagne during this period often integrated into the local maritime and merchant communities, as the region served as a vital gateway for international exchange. By settling in this area, the Lowthers became part of the complex social fabric of pre-revolutionary France. Their presence in local parish and civil registers provides a clear link to the historical development of the region, marking them as participants in the long-standing connections between the British Isles and the French coast.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. six annulets in pale or, three and three”
NorthumberlandNorthumberland, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Lowther arms are recorded
The Lowther arms were recorded in Northumberland, c. 1620.
Northumberland was border country facing Scotland, raided and fought over for three hundred years. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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 France when the Lowther 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 Northumberland.
Origin & History of the Lowther Family in England
The family name Lowther originates from the ancient landscape of Northern England, specifically taking its name from the village of Lowther in Westmorland. While the name is deeply tied to the rugged geography of the Lake District, historical records confirm that members of the family had established a significant presence in Northumberland by 1620. During this period, families in the north were often shaped by the volatile nature of the borderlands between England and Scotland. The Lowthers were known as a prominent landed family that played a central role in local governance and regional politics for centuries. Their transition from the western hills of Westmorland to the eastern reaches of Northumberland reflects the broader movement of families who sought to expand their influence and manage estates across the northern counties. By the early seventeenth century, the name was well-regarded, marking the family as key participants in the social and economic life of the English border region.
Lowther Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Hlud-her
Derived from Germanic elements meaning loud or famous and army or warrior.
This name
LowtherA locational surname originating from a place in Cumbria, England, meaning loud river.
also spelled
Louthier
Lowtherr
Lowthier
Louthre
Lowthir
Related arms
Louthervariant spelling
Galerecorded with Lowther, same area
Harrisrecorded with Lowther, same area
Huttonrecorded with Lowther, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E (Familles et personnes)
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Pocquet du Haut-Jussé, Barthélemy, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1937
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ringFidelity, and a promise kept
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
