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 family name Powlett has deep roots in the English landscape, with early records confirming their presence in the county of Devon by the year 1620. The name is a variation of the name Paulet, which originated as a locative surname referring to the village of Pawlett in Somerset. During the seventeenth century, families often moved across regional borders to seek new opportunities in farming or trade, which explains how the name established itself in Devon during this period. As the family settled into these new communities, they became part of the local social fabric, often appearing in parish registers and legal documents that tracked births, marriages, and land ownership. This transition from a specific place name to a family identifier reflects the way many English surnames evolved as people moved away from their ancestral homes and were identified by their origins by their new neighbors.
Meaning of the Powlett family crest colors & symbols
Symbols on this shield
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
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)
“Sa. three swords in pile, points to the base ppr. pommels and hilts or”
CardiganLlandisil · Cardigan, c. 1647
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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 history of the Powlett family in Wales is deeply rooted in the social and political landscape of the seventeenth century. While the name has strong connections to English nobility, records confirm that members of the family were established in Cardigan by 1647. During this period, Cardigan was a significant center for trade and local governance, and families of standing often held positions of influence within the town. The presence of the Powletts in this region suggests they were part of the local gentry who managed land and participated in the civic life of the Welsh coast. As the family integrated into the community, they became part of the complex social fabric of Cardigan, navigating the shifting loyalties and economic changes that defined Wales during the mid-1600s. Their transition into this specific area highlights the movement of families across regional borders during a time of great national transition.
Powlett Meaning & Related Branches
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, PROB 11
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
swordJustice, and military honour
swordJustice, and military honour
