A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Walwyn family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6143 · English, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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, gu. a chev. betw. three bucks' heads cabossed ar.; 2nd, gu. a bend erm. a greyhound courant sa.; 3rd, vert two palets of bezants; 4th, or, a fess gu”
OxfordOxford, c. 1566
Where the Walwyn Arms Were Recorded
Oxford
Map of England showing where the Walwyn arms are recorded
The Walwyn arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1566.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Walwyn 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 Walwyn Family in England
The surname Walwyn has deep roots in the English landscape, with early records placing the family in the academic and social circles of Oxford by the year 1566. The name itself is thought to derive from Old English elements that suggest a connection to a "Welsh friend" or a person of foreign origin, reflecting the complex movement of people across the British Isles during the medieval period. As the family established itself in the university city, they became part of the growing middle class that helped shape local governance and trade. Over the following centuries, members of the Walwyn family moved beyond Oxford to settle in various parts of England, often serving as landowners, merchants, or professionals. Their history serves as a window into how families shifted from localized clans to broader members of English society during the transition from the Tudor era into the modern age.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a fess betw. three leopards' faces ar”
Walesc. 1647
Where the Walwyn Arms Were Recorded
Denbigh
Map of Wales showing where the Walwyn arms are recorded
The Walwyn arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Walwyn arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Walwyn Family in Wales
The family name Walwyn has deep roots in the Welsh landscape, reflecting the complex history of the region. While the name is often associated with the borderlands between England and Wales, its presence in Denbigh by 1647 highlights the family's integration into the social and political life of North Wales during the seventeenth century. During this era, families like the Walwyns were often involved in the management of local estates and the shifting loyalties of the English Civil War. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots that described people living near the border, known as the Welsh Marches. As the family established itself in towns like Denbigh, they became part of the local gentry who helped shape the administration and economy of the area. Their history is a window into how families moved and settled across the rugged terrain of Wales, leaving a lasting mark on the communities they called home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Walewein
A Germanic name composed of elements meaning foreign and friend.
This name
WalwynA locational or patronymic surname derived from the Old French form of Gawain.
also spelled
Walwin
Walwayne
Related arms
Walweynvariant spelling
Walwinvariant spelling
Barwellrecorded with Walwyn, same area
Campionrecorded with Walwyn, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Wood, Anthony, The History and Antiquities of the University of Oxford, 1792
Oxfordshire History Centre, Oxford City Council Records (1566)
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
