A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Toovey family of England.
Reg. 0438 · English, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
wyvernValour and protection, and victory over the plague
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Per fess or and gu. a wyvern, wings elevated counterchanged, tail nowed counterchanged”
OxfordOxford, c. 1620
Where the Toovey Arms Were Recorded
Oxford
Map of England showing where the Toovey arms are recorded
The Toovey arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1620.
Oxfordshire was farming country with the university at its centre, and both produced families of standing. Scholars and lawyers who did well bought manors nearby, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Toovey 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 Oxford.
Origin & History of the Toovey Family in England
The surname Toovey is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Oxfordshire, where records confirm the family was well-established by the early 17th century. While the exact origins of the name remain a subject of debate among historians, it is often categorized as a locative or topographical name, potentially linked to small settlements or specific geographic features within the English countryside. By 1620, members of the Toovey family were active participants in the local community of Oxford, appearing in parish registers and legal documents that highlight their role as common citizens during the Stuart period. These early ancestors were typically involved in trades or agriculture, reflecting the typical life of families in the region during that era. Over time, the family name spread from these rural Oxfordshire roots, maintaining a consistent presence in the historical record through their involvement in the social and economic development of the county.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Tove
Old Norse name meaning thunder or the god Thor.
This name
TooveyA patronymic surname derived from the Old Norse personal name Tove, meaning son of Tove.
also spelled
Toovy
Tovie
Toovee
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
Oxfordshire History Centre, Parish Registers of Oxfordshire, 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
wyvernValour and protection, and victory over the plague
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
wyvernValour and protection, and victory over the plague
