Map of England showing where the Shaw arms are recorded
The Shaw arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1586.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Shaw 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Shaw Family in England
The surname Shaw is a locative name, meaning it was originally used to identify people by the landscape where they lived. In Old English, the word "sceaga" referred to a small wood, a thicket, or a patch of trees. People who lived near these wooded areas were often called by the name to distinguish them from neighbors in the same village. By the time the family was firmly established in Essex in 1586, the name had been in use for several generations across various English counties. Families with this name were typically part of the rural population, working as farmers or tradespeople who were deeply connected to the local geography. As the family grew in Essex, they became part of the local community fabric, leaving behind records in parish registers and tax documents that help historians trace their movement through the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. three covered cups or”
RenfrewSauchie · Renfrew, c. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Shaw arms are recorded
The Shaw arms were recorded in Renfrew, c. 1748.
Renfrewshire lay along the lower Clyde, farming country that later filled with trade. Its landed families were long-settled, and long settlement is what brought them into the register.
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 England when the Shaw 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 Renfrew.
Origin & History of the Shaw Family in Scotland
The surname Shaw has deep roots in the Scottish landscape, often linked to the Gaelic word *sithech*, which translates to wolf. Historically, the name became prominent in the regions of Inverness and Rothiemurchus, where members of the Clan Shaw were known for their fierce independence and loyalty to the Clan Chattan confederation. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had expanded its reach across the country, establishing a firm presence in the county of Renfrew by 1748. During this period, families like the Shaws were often involved in the transition from traditional Highland life to the growing industrial and agricultural economy of the Scottish Lowlands. Their migration patterns reflect the broader social shifts of the time as people moved toward developing towns to find new opportunities in trade and local governance.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, az. three mullets in fess betw. as many covered cups ar., for SHAW; 2nd, gu. a chev. ar. betw. three swans close ppr., for LYTE; 3rd, ar. a bunch of grapes ppr”
PembrokeNorton House · Pembroke, c. 1647
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Map of Wales showing where the Shaw arms are recorded
The Shaw arms were recorded in Pembroke, c. 1647.
Pembrokeshire was settled from England early enough to be called Little England beyond Wales. Its landed families were Norman in origin and held their ground for centuries, which is what put them in the records.
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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Shaw arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Pembroke.
Origin & History of the Shaw Family in Wales
The history of the Shaw name in Wales is deeply connected to the coastal region of Pembrokeshire, where records confirm the family was established by 1647. While the name is often associated with English or Scottish origins, its presence in Pembrokeshire reflects the complex movement of people across the Irish Sea and the borderlands during the seventeenth century. This area of Wales was a significant hub for trade and military activity, which likely drew families seeking new opportunities in port towns. By settling in this region, the Shaw family became part of a diverse community that blended local Welsh traditions with outside influences. Their presence in the mid-seventeenth century suggests they were integrated into the local social and economic life of the county during a time of great political change in Britain.
Shaw Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
sceaga
Old English word referring to a small wood or thicket.
This name
ShawA topographic name for someone who lived near a small wood or copse.
also spelled
Shau
Shawe
Related arms
Flowersimilar arms
Schawvariant spelling
Shaavariant spelling
Boydrecorded with Shaw, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Essex Record Office, Parish Registers of Essex, 1538–1900
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
