A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Paw family of England.
Reg. 8296 · English, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. crusily fitchée or, a griffin salient of the last”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Paw Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Paw arms are recorded
The Paw arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Paw 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 Paw Family in England
The family name Paw has deep roots in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Paws were often integrated into the local merchant class or skilled trades. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or descriptive surnames common in Northern England, reflecting the way names evolved through local pronunciation and regional dialects. By settling in a city with such a long history of Roman and Viking influence, the early Paw family lived in an environment where ancient traditions and rapid social change met. Their presence in the city during this era suggests they were part of the steady growth of the urban middle class that helped shape the character of York for generations to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pavo
Latin word meaning peacock.
This name
PawA nickname for a proud or vain person, or one who dressed in a showy manner.
also spelled
Pau
Paue
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Collins, Francis, Register of the Freemen of the City of York, 1897
Raine, Angelo, Mediaeval York: A Topographical Survey Based on Original Sources, 1955
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
cross symbolChristian faith and service
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
cross symbolChristian faith and service
