Map of England showing where the Rew arms are recorded
The Rew arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Rew 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 Rew Family in England
The surname Rew is rooted in the landscape of Northern England, where it emerged as a locational name linked to specific geographic features. In the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the city of York, with records confirming their residence there by 1620. During this era, the name was often associated with individuals who lived near a "rew," a term derived from Middle English that referred to a row of houses, a street, or a narrow strip of land. As the family settled into urban life in York, they became part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that defined the city’s economy during the Stuart period. By maintaining a consistent presence in the region, the Rew family integrated into the local community, leaving a historical footprint that reflects the migration patterns and naming customs of early modern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ree
An Old English term for a river or stream.
This name
RewA topographical name for someone who lived near a river or stream.
also spelled
Reue
Reowe
Rewse
Related arms
Ronysame arms
Estmertonsimilar arms
Roovariant spelling
Ruevariant 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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York, Archbishop of York’s Diocesan Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
