Map of France showing where the Pownall arms are recorded
The Pownall arms were recorded in Boston, c. 1725.
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 Pownall 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 Pownall Family in France
The Pownall family name has deep roots in the historical landscape of France, particularly within the region of Bretagne. While the name is often associated with English origins, records confirm that family members were firmly established in this coastal province by 1725. During this period, Bretagne served as a vital hub for trade and maritime activity, which likely influenced the family's movement and social integration. The presence of the Pownall name in French parish registers from the early eighteenth century suggests that these individuals were integrated into the local community life of the time. By settling in this distinct cultural region, the family became part of the complex social fabric that defined western France before the major political shifts of the later century. Their history in Bretagne reflects a broader pattern of families moving across borders and adapting to new environments while maintaining their unique identity.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. a lion ramp. erm. gorged with a collar gemel az. therefrom pendent an escutcheon of the last charged with a mullet ar”
EnglandLiverpool, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Pownall arms are recorded
The Pownall arms were recorded in Liverpool, c. 1620.
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 Pownall 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 Pownall Family in England
The family name Pownall originates from the county of Cheshire in North West England, where it was first recorded as a place name. The name refers to a specific settlement, likely derived from Old English terms describing a clearing or a nook near a hill. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established themselves in the growing port city of Liverpool. During this period, Liverpool was transitioning from a small coastal town into a bustling center for trade and maritime activity. The presence of the Pownall family in the city by 1620 suggests they were part of the rising merchant and professional class that helped shape the region during the Stuart era. As the family moved from rural Cheshire into the urban environment of Liverpool, they became part of the social and economic fabric that defined the growth of Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Paganus
A Latin term referring to a country dweller or rustic person.
This name
PownallDerived from a location in Cheshire, England, signifying a clearing belonging to a rustic inhabitant.
also spelled
Pownal
Pownalle
Pownalls
Pownell
Related arms
Lelyrecorded with Pownall, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Pocquet du Haut-Jussé, Barthélemy, Histoire de Bretagne, 1937
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
