Show ContentsTowlson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Towlson surname is a patronymic created from the Old English name Toll, "a pet form of Bartholomew (son of Talmai, furrow); dweller, or collector, at a tollhouse." 1

Early Origins of the Towlson family

The surname Towlson was first found in Lancashire where the Lancashire Wills at Richmond listed John Towlyngson, of the parish of Mellyinge (no date); Richard Towlson, or Tounsoun, of Dalton, 1587; George Toulson, of Poulton, 1672; and George Towlnson, of Pilling, 1673. 2 Further to the south, John Tulesan was Lord Mayor of London in 1252.

Early History of the Towlson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Towlson research. Another 146 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1290, 1590, 1622, 1630, 1646, 1648, 1650, 1660, 1667 and 1689 are included under the topic Early Towlson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Towlson Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Tolson, Tollson, Tolsen and others.

Early Notables of the Towlson family

Another 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Towlson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Towlson migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Towlson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Towlson, who arrived in Virginia in 1661 3


The Towlson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ferro comite
Motto Translation: My sword my companion.


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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