A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Pawson family of England.
Reg. 2338 · English, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ermineDignity and rank
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Erm. two chev. betw. three lions' gambs erased and erect or, for PAWSON; quartering, for HARGRAVE, Quarterly, indented az. and gu. on a fesse ar. betw. three stags courant or, as many mascles of the first betw. four erm. spots”
YorkYork, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Pawson arms are recorded
The Pawson arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Pawson 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 York.
Origin & History of the Pawson Family in England
The surname Pawson is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Paul. In the northern regions of England, particularly around Yorkshire, the name evolved from the diminutive form of Paul, which was often rendered as Paw or Pawe. By the time the family was firmly established in York during the early seventeenth century, the name had become a fixed hereditary surname passed down through generations. During the 1620s, families bearing this name were often integrated into the local urban economy, working as tradespeople or merchants within the bustling city walls. As York served as a major administrative and religious hub, the Pawsons of this era were likely involved in the vibrant guild systems that defined the social and professional life of the city. This period marked a time of transition where the family name became a permanent marker of their identity and their place within the regional history of Northern England.
Pawson Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Paul
Derived from the Latin word paulus meaning small or humble.
This name
PawsonA patronymic surname meaning son of Paul.
also spelled
Pauson
Palson
Paueson
Related arms
Closerecorded with Pawson, same area
Ibbetsonrecorded with Pawson, same area
Killingbeckrecorded with Pawson, same area
Lodgerecorded with Pawson, 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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ermineDignity and rank
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ermineDignity and rank
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
