Map of England showing where the Prows arms are recorded
The Prows arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what brought arms with it.
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 Prows 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 Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Prows Family in England
The surname Prows is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Cornwall, where the family established a presence by at least 1620. The name is believed to be a variation of the Middle English word "prow," which was often used to describe someone who was brave, valiant, or upright in character. During the early seventeenth century, families in this region were frequently tied to the land through farming, mining, or maritime trades, as the Cornish coast shaped both their livelihoods and their community identity. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, leaving traces in parish registers and legal documents that recorded their births, marriages, and daily activities. This history reflects the broader movement of families who settled in the southwestern tip of England, helping to build the unique cultural heritage that defines the Cornish people today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Prou
Old French term meaning brave, valiant, or upright.
This name
ProwsA surname denoting a courageous or worthy individual, originating from medieval descriptive nicknames.
also spelled
Prous
Prouse
Prowze
Prow
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Padel, O.J., A Popular Dictionary of Cornish Place-Names, 1988
Tangye, Michael, Cornish Surnames, 1994
Cornwall Archives, Parish Registers of Cornwall, 1600–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
