Map of Scotland showing where the Rowan arms are recorded
The Rowan arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Rowan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Rowan Family in Scotland
The surname Rowan has deep roots in the Scottish landscape, often linked to the Gaelic word *ruadh*, which describes a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion. While the name appears in various regions, historical records confirm that members of the Rowan family were well-established in Edinburgh by 1748. During this era, Edinburgh was a bustling center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Rowans were often involved in the city’s growing trade and professional sectors. The name likely evolved from a descriptive nickname into a permanent family identifier as people moved from rural areas into the city for work. Because the rowan tree was also considered a symbol of protection in ancient Scottish folklore, the name carries a sense of connection to both the natural environment and the social shifts that defined eighteenth-century urban life.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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. three cinquefoils erm. on a chief or, a lion pass. of the first, holding in the dexter paw a caltrap az”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Rowan arms are recorded
The Rowan arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Scotland when the Rowan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Rowan Family in Ireland
The surname Rowan has deep roots in Ireland, where it evolved as an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Ruadháin. This original name translates to descendant of the red-haired one, suggesting that the family was once identified by a distinctive physical trait among their community. By the year 1645, records confirm that members of the Rowan family were well-established in Dublin. During this period, the city served as a bustling center of trade and political activity, and families like the Rowans were often involved in the urban life of the capital as it navigated the turbulent shifts of the seventeenth century. Over time, the name spread from these early urban foundations into various parts of the country, maintaining its connection to its Irish linguistic origins while adapting to the changing social landscape of the island.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, a fess chequy az. and ar. betw. three crosses crosslet fitchée in chief and as many crescents in base gu”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Rowan arms are recorded
The Rowan 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 Scotland when the Rowan 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 Rowan Family in England
The family name Rowan has deep roots in the northern regions of England, particularly within the historic city of York. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents in this area. The name itself is thought to be topographic, meaning it likely described someone who lived near a prominent rowan tree, or it may have originated as a nickname for a person with hair the color of the tree's distinctive red berries. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling hub of trade and religious life, and families like the Rowans played a quiet but steady role in the local community. They were part of the growing urban population that navigated the social and economic shifts of the Stuart era. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the region, reflecting the long history of families who built their lives in the shadow of York’s ancient stone walls.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ruadh
A Gaelic adjective meaning red or reddish-colored.
This name
RowanDerived from the Gaelic word for the red-berried tree or a descriptor for someone with red hair.
also spelled
Rowen
Rowin
Related arms
Steuartsimilar arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Sasines, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
lionCourage, strength and royalty
