Map of England showing where the Solway arms are recorded
The Solway 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 Solway 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 Solway Family in England
The family name Solway is closely tied to the geography of Northern England, specifically the region surrounding the Solway Firth. While the name likely began as a descriptive term for people living near this tidal inlet, records confirm that members of the family had established a firm presence in the city of York by 1620. During the early seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the city’s influential guilds or local government. The migration of the family from the northern coastal areas toward the inland hub of York suggests a shift from rural life to the more structured environment of a cathedral city. This transition reflects the broader patterns of movement during the Stuart period as families sought new economic opportunities in growing urban centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sul-wath
Old Norse for muddy ford or miry crossing.
This name
SolwayA topographic name referring to someone who lived near a muddy river crossing.
also spelled
Soley
Solley
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory, and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
Palliser, D.M. Tudor York. 1979
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. York Diocesan Probate Records
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
