Map of England showing where the Rowles arms are recorded
The Rowles arms were recorded in Salop, c. 1620.
Shropshire lay on the Welsh border, and border country needed men who could fight. Families held their land in return for service, and service in arms is what a coat of arms was originally for.
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 Rowles 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 Salop.
Origin & History of the Rowles Family in England
The surname Rowles is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Roll or Rollo. This name likely gained popularity in England following the arrival of the Normans, who brought the Germanic name Hrolf into common use. By the early 17th century, the family had established a firm presence in the county of Salop, also known as Shropshire. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Rowles family were living and working in this region during the reign of King James I. During this period, families in Shropshire were often deeply connected to the local agricultural economy and the wool trade, which served as the backbone of the area's prosperity. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of their parishes and communities through their daily labor and civic participation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rollo
A Germanic name derived from elements meaning famous wolf.
This name
RowlesA patronymic surname meaning son of the famous wolf.
also spelled
Rowlesse
Rowls
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Shropshire Archives, Shropshire Parish Registers: Diocese of Lichfield, 1620
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
