Map of England showing where the Towery arms are recorded
The Towery arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Towery 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 York.
Origin & History of the Towery Family in England
The family name Towery is rooted in the historic landscape of Northern England, with documented evidence placing early members in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York served as a vital regional hub for trade and administration, suggesting that the family likely held a stable position within the local community. The name itself is thought to be a topographic surname, which was a common naming convention used to describe someone who lived near a specific landmark, such as a tower or a fortified structure. As the family established their presence in Yorkshire, they became part of the social fabric of a city defined by its medieval walls and long history of craftsmanship. Over the following generations, the family name persisted through the shifting economic conditions of the seventeenth century, reflecting the steady migration and settlement patterns typical of families in the North of England during that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Tower
A tall, narrow building or fortification.
This name
ToweryAn occupational name for someone who lived near or worked at a watchtower.
also spelled
Towrey
Towrie
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
