Map of England showing where the Prowse arms are recorded
The Prowse 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 Prowse 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 Prowse Family in England
The surname Prowse is deeply rooted in the history of the West Country of England, particularly within the rugged landscape of Cornwall. By the year 1620, families bearing this name were already well-established in the region, living as part of the local community during a time of significant social and agricultural change. The name itself is thought to be a descriptive nickname derived from the Middle English word "prous," which meant valiant or brave. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name were likely recognized for their courage or their bold character. Over the centuries, these families became deeply woven into the fabric of Cornish life, often working as farmers, tradespeople, or mariners who relied on the land and the sea to sustain their households. Their presence in 17th-century records highlights a long-standing connection to the county, marking them as a family that helped shape the local culture and history of the area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Prou
Derived from the Old French word for brave or valiant.
This name
ProwseA descriptive nickname for a courageous or gallant individual.
also spelled
Prous
Prouse
Prowze
Prow
Related arms
Prous, or Prowzevariant spelling
Prouse, or Prouzevariant spelling
Prouzevariant spelling
Prowvariant 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, 1958
Cornwall Archives, Parish Registers of Cornwall, 1620
Hanks, Patrick, Dictionary of American Family Names, 2003
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
