Map of England showing where the Prow arms are recorded
The Prow arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Prow 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Prow Family in England
The family name Prow has deep roots in the English county of Essex, where records confirm members of the family were established by the early 17th century. The name is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Middle English word "prou," which meant brave, valiant, or upright. In medieval society, such names were often bestowed upon individuals who displayed courage or a strong character in their local community. By 1620, the Prow family was already integrated into the social fabric of Essex, living as part of the agrarian and merchant classes that defined the region during the Stuart period. These early ancestors likely navigated the challenges of life in rural England, contributing to the local economy and parish life long before the name spread further across the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
prud
Old French adjective meaning valiant, brave, or capable.
This name
ProwA nickname for a brave, valiant, or upright person.
also spelled
Prowze
Prowse
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Quarter Sessions Rolls, Q/SR 230/11
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
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
pine coneLife and fertility
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pine coneLife and fertility
