A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Towler family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1382 · French, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
leafHappiness and abundance
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à la croix fleurdelisée de gu., ch. d'une croix alésée du champ et cant. de quatre feuilles de sin., en barres, les tiges en bas (Toler); aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à un trèfle de sin.; au chef de sa., ch. de trois coquilles d'or (Graham). C.: une fleur-de-lis d'or. S.: à dextre un cheval d'arg., bridé de gu.; à sen. une biche au nat. D.: REGI ET PATRIÆ FIDELIS.”
Francec. 1725
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of France showing where the Towler arms are recorded
The Towler arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Towler arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Towler Family in France
The family name Towler possesses a distinct history that traces back to the rugged landscapes of Bretagne in the early eighteenth century. By 1725, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established within this coastal region of France. During this era, the social structure of Bretagne was heavily influenced by local maritime trade and traditional agricultural practices. Families living in this area often adopted surnames that reflected their specific roles within the community or their geographic origins. The presence of the Towler name in French parish registers from this time suggests that these ancestors were integrated into the local culture and religious life of the province. As they navigated the challenges of life in pre-revolutionary France, these early family members contributed to the unique cultural tapestry of the region. Their documented existence in 1725 serves as a vital anchor point for understanding how the family name became rooted in the history of western France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a cross flory gu. surmounted of a plain cross of the field”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Towler arms are recorded
The Towler arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 France when the Towler 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Towler Family in England
The surname Towler is rooted in the occupational history of medieval England, likely originating as a descriptive name for someone who worked as a toll collector or a person who measured goods. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Norfolk, a region known for its thriving wool trade and busy market towns. Records confirm that members of the Towler family were living in this area by 1620, where they were integrated into the local agricultural and mercantile economy. During this era, families in Norfolk often lived in close-knit parish communities, and the name became firmly linked to the social and economic life of East Anglia. As the family grew, they contributed to the local culture of the region, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the transition of English society from rural feudalism toward a more mobile, trade-based economy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
tullier
A French occupational term for a maker or seller of tiles.
This name
TowlerAn occupational surname for someone who manufactured or worked with roof tiles.
also spelled
Toller
Tolere
Tolar
Tollar
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, Series E
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, Series E
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
leafHappiness and abundance
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
leafHappiness and abundance
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
