Map of England showing where the Shawver arms are recorded
The Shawver 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 Shawver 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 Shawver Family in England
The Shawver family name carries a long history that traces back to the early seventeenth century. Records indicate that members of the family were established in the city of York, England, as early as 1620. During this period, the name was often associated with families living in northern England, where they likely worked as skilled laborers or tradespeople. As the century progressed, many individuals with this surname began to seek new opportunities, eventually participating in the waves of migration that brought families from the British Isles to the American colonies. This transition marked a significant shift in the family story as they moved from the historic streets of York to settle in the developing frontier of Pennsylvania. By the mid-1700s, the name became firmly rooted in the records of York County, Pennsylvania, where the family helped build early agricultural communities.
Shawver Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
sceaga
Old English word for a thicket or small wood.
This name
ShawverAn occupational or locational name for someone who lived near a small wood or thicket.
also spelled
Savary
Savory
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
York County Archives, York County Tax Lists, 1762–1785
York County History Center, Church Records of York County, 1745–1800
York Minster Library, Parish Registers of York, 1600–1650
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
