A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Powlett family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1170 · English, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
What the shield shows
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. three swords in pile ar. points to the base, hilts or”
DevonLegh Powlett · Devon, c. 1620
Where the Powlett Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Powlett arms are recorded
The Powlett arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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 Powlett 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Powlett Family in England
The Powlett name finds its roots in the rolling landscapes of medieval England. By the early seventeenth century, the family established a firm presence in the county of Devon. Records from 1620 confirm their residence in this region, where they lived as part of the local landed gentry. The name itself likely evolved from older topographical descriptions, reflecting the specific areas where early ancestors settled and farmed the land.
Life in Devon during this era was defined by agricultural growth and shifting social structures. The Powlett family integrated into these rural communities, contributing to the local economy and regional governance. Their steady persistence in the area highlights a deep connection to the English countryside that endured for many generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
What the shield shows
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. three swords in pile, points to the base ppr. pommels and hilts or”
CardiganLlandisil · Cardigan, c. 1647
Where the Powlett Arms Were Recorded
Cardigan
Map of Wales showing where the Powlett arms are recorded
The Powlett arms were recorded in Cardigan, c. 1647.
Cardiganshire was west Welsh coastal country of small farms and coastal trade. Its landed families were modest and numerous, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Powlett arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Cardigan.
Origin & History of the Powlett Family in Wales
The Powlett family name holds deep roots within the rugged landscape of Wales. While the name is often associated with English nobility, historical records confirm the family established a firm presence in Cardigan by 1647. During this period, the region was a center for trade and local governance. The Powletts likely integrated into the social fabric of the town as landowners or merchants. Their arrival in Cardigan suggests they were part of the shifting demographics that defined seventeenth-century Welsh society.
These early settlers navigated a time of significant political change. By embedding themselves in the local community, the Powletts secured a lasting legacy in the area. Their history reflects the broader movement of families across the Welsh borders.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Paulus
Latin for small or humble.
This name
PowlettA diminutive form indicating a descendant of someone named Paul.
also spelled
Powlet
Powlette
Powletts
Poulett
Poulet
Related arms
Powletsimilar arms
Pawlettvariant spelling
Poulettvariant 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, Chancery proceedings, C 2
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swordJustice, and military honour
swordJustice, and military honour
