Map of England showing where the Withrow arms are recorded
The Withrow arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Withrow 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Withrow Family in England
The surname Withrow is believed to have originated in the southwestern region of England, specifically within the county of Devon. By the early seventeenth century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the area, living as part of the local rural community. The name likely evolved from a geographical description, as it is thought to be a variation of "withy-row," referring to a row of willow trees growing near a stream or a boundary line. During the 1620s, these families were typically involved in agriculture and trade, contributing to the steady growth of Devon’s economy during a period of significant social change. As the century progressed, members of the family began to migrate, eventually carrying the name across the Atlantic to the American colonies, where they helped shape the development of new settlements.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
With-row
Old English for willow tree and a row or hedgerow.
This name
WithrowA topographical name for someone living near a row of willow trees.
also spelled
Whiterow
Whytrow
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
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1600–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
