A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Pewitt family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 6848 · French, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à la fasce échiq. d'arg. et d'azur de trois tires, acc. de trois bes. d'or. C.: une cigogne au nat., bq. et m. d'or, levant sa patte dextre. S.: deux faucons de sa., bq., m. et grilletés d'or, coll. chacun d'une guirlande de roses de gu., le vol ouv. et abaissé. D.: AMITIÉ.”
Francec. 1719
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Map of France showing where the Pewitt arms are recorded
The Pewitt arms were recorded in France, c. 1719.
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 Pewitt 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 Pewitt Family in France
The family name Pewitt, often linked to the regional variations found in northwestern France, has deep roots in the historical landscape of Bretagne. By the early eighteenth century, records confirm that family members were established within this rugged coastal province, a region known for its distinct Celtic heritage and maritime traditions. During this era, the name likely evolved from local occupational or descriptive nicknames common among the rural population of the French countryside. Families in Bretagne at this time were often deeply connected to the land and the local parish system, which served as the primary record keeper for births and marriages. As these individuals navigated the social changes of the 1700s, the name became a permanent marker of their lineage within the region. This presence in Bretagne highlights a history defined by local stability and the gradual movement of families through the provinces of pre-revolutionary France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. three bars ar. in chief as many estoiles or”
WorcesterChurwiard · Worcester, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Pewitt arms are recorded
The Pewitt arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1620.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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 France when the Pewitt 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Pewitt Family in England
The family name Pewitt finds its historical roots in the landscape of medieval England, where surnames often emerged from a person’s connection to their local environment or trade. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Pewitt family were well-established in the city of Worcester. During this period, Worcester was a bustling center of commerce and religion, situated along the River Severn. Families living in this region were often involved in the thriving wool trade or local craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. The presence of the Pewitt name in these early parish and municipal records suggests that the family was integrated into the social fabric of the West Midlands, living through a time of significant transition as England moved from the Elizabethan era into the early seventeenth century. As residents of a prominent cathedral city, these early ancestors likely navigated the daily rhythms of market life and civic duties that shaped the development of English family lineages during that century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. three bars ar. in chief as many estoiles of the last, a crescent for diff”
DublinCollector · Dublin, c. 1622
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Map of Ireland showing where the Pewitt arms are recorded
The Pewitt arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1622.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Pewitt arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dublin.
Origin & History of the Pewitt Family in Ireland
The family name Pewitt, which appears in historical records as early as 1622 in Dublin, likely emerged during a period of significant social and economic transition in Ireland. During the early seventeenth century, Dublin served as a bustling administrative and commercial hub that attracted settlers and tradespeople from various regions. Families with names like Pewitt often established themselves in the city by participating in the growing urban economy or by serving in local civic roles. While the name may have roots connected to English naming conventions involving local birds or geographical markers, its presence in Dublin suggests that the family was integrated into the complex social fabric of the capital during the plantation era. Over time, these early residents contributed to the development of the city as they navigated the shifting political landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pewit
An onomatopoeic term for the lapwing bird based on its cry.
This name
PewittA nickname for a person with a shrill voice or a nervous, bird-like demeanor.
also spelled
Pitte
Pit
Pytt
Pytte
Pytts
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Archives judiciaires de l'Ancien Régime)
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E (Familles, notaires et état civil)
Gautier, Alain, Histoire de la Bretagne, 2010
Le Gall, Jean-Marie, Les Bretons et la mer, 2005
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