Map of France showing where the Winslow arms are recorded
The Winslow arms were recorded in Boston Etats-Unis, 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 Winslow 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 Winslow Family in France
The origins of the Winslow name in France are deeply connected to the coastal region of Brittany during the early eighteenth century. While the name is often associated with English roots, historical records confirm that family members were firmly established in the Breton landscape by 1725. During this period, Brittany served as a vital crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between the British Isles and the French mainland. It is likely that these early ancestors were part of a small community of migrants who integrated into the local social fabric through marriage and professional labor. By settling in this rugged region, the family adapted to the unique customs and administrative structures of the French provinces. Their presence in the local parish registers from this time provides a clear window into how the family name persisted and evolved within a distinctively French cultural environment.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
plant quatrefoilGood fortune and the fourfold gospel
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Erm. on a chev. sa. three quatrefoils or”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Winslow arms are recorded
The Winslow arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
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 France when the Winslow 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 England.
Origin & History of the Winslow Family in England
The name Winslow originates from a place name in Buckinghamshire, England, which combines an Old English personal name with the word for a burial mound or hill. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the northern city of York. During this period, the Winslows were part of a growing class of English citizens who were deeply involved in the religious and social shifts of the era. Records from 1620 suggest that members of the family were active participants in the urban life of York, where they navigated the complex political climate of the time. This geographical move from the southern regions of England to the northern hub of York highlights the mobility of the family as they sought new opportunities before the era of major transatlantic migration.
Winslow Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Wineslawe
Old English compound meaning friend's burial mound or hill.
This name
WinslowDerived from a place name referring to a friend's hill or a settlement belonging to a friend.
also spelled
Wynslow
Wynslowe
Related arms
Wynselowvariant spelling
Boarlandrecorded with Winslow, same area
Chandlerrecorded with Winslow, same area
Deanerecorded with Winslow, same area
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
Galllouédec, Louis, La Bretagne, 1917
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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
plant quatrefoilGood fortune and the fourfold gospel
