A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Tower family of England.
Reg. 0678 · English, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
cinquefoilHope and joy
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, sa. a tower or, for TOWER; 2nd, gu. three arrows, points downwards or, for HALE; 3rd, per pale or and gu. a chev. betw. three cinquefoils counterchanged, on a chief per pale of the second and first two escallops counterchanged, for TASH”
EssexWeald Hall · Essex, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Tower arms are recorded
The Tower arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Tower 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 Tower Family in England
The surname Tower is a locative name, which means it was originally used to identify people who lived near a prominent landmark or a specific building. In medieval England, families often took their names from the physical features of their surroundings, and those living near a fortified tower or a church steeple were frequently referred to by that feature. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Tower family were established in the county of Essex. During this period, families in Essex were often involved in local agriculture or trade, and many were preparing for the significant social and religious shifts that defined the seventeenth century. The name reflects a time when surnames were transitioning from simple descriptions of a person's home to permanent family identifiers passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
turris
Latin word meaning a high structure or fortified building.
This name
TowerAn occupational name for a watchman or someone who lived near a fortified tower.
also spelled
Towre
Towe
Related arms
Brownerecorded with Tower, same area
Smithrecorded with Tower, same area
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
Essex Record Office, Parish Registers of Essex, 1620
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
cinquefoilHope and joy
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
cinquefoilHope and joy
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
