Map of England showing where the Rowle arms are recorded
The Rowle arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1540.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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.
Henry VIII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VIII of England
1509–1547
Reigning in England when the Rowle 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Rowle Family in England
The family name Rowle has deep roots in the English county of Devon, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1540. During this period, the name was often associated with rural life and the management of small landholdings in the West Country. The name itself likely evolved from a nickname or a shortened version of a personal name like Roland, which was popular in England following the Norman Conquest. As families in the sixteenth century began to settle into more permanent locations, the Rowle name became a recognizable part of the local community structure in Devon. These early individuals were typically involved in agriculture or local trades, which allowed them to maintain a consistent presence in the region for generations. By documenting their lives in local parish registers and tax rolls, these early ancestors helped preserve the history of the name long before modern record-keeping became standard.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hrolfr
Old Norse name meaning wolf or famous wolf.
This name
RowleA patronymic surname derived from a diminutive form of the name Rolf.
also spelled
Roll
Rollee
Role
Rol
Rowle
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Peskett, Hugh, Guide to the Parish and Non-Parochial Registers of Devon and Cornwall, 1978
The National Archives, Exchequer: King's Remembrancer: Particulars of Account: Lay Subsidy Rolls, E 179
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1538–1837
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
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
