Map of England showing where the Marlowe arms are recorded
The Marlowe arms were recorded in London, c. 1409.
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.
Henry IV of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry IV of England
1399–1413
Reigning in England when the Marlowe 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 England.
Origin & History of the Marlowe Family in England
The surname Marlowe is a locative name, meaning it was originally used to describe someone who lived near a specific location. It is derived from the Old English words "mere," which means a pool or a lake, and "lawe," which refers to a hill or a mound. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family lived near a prominent hill overlooking a body of water. By the year 1409, records confirm that members of the Marlowe family were well-established residents of London. During this period, the city was a bustling center of trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Marlowes often played active roles in the local guilds and urban economy. As the name spread throughout England, it evolved from various spellings like Marloe or Marlow into the version recognized today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
mere-hlaw
Old English for a boundary lake or pool and a hill.
This name
MarloweDerived from a locational surname referring to someone living near a hill by a lake.
also spelled
Marloe
Related arms
Merlawe, or Marlsvariant spelling
Merlowevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives (UK), Court of Common Pleas: Plea Rolls, CP 40/593 (1409)
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
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orlePreservation, and protection in battle
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
