Show ContentsArrow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The family name Arrow is believed to be descended originally from the Norman race. The Normans were commonly believed to be of French origin but were, more accurately, of Viking origin. The Vikings landed in the Orkneys and Northern Scotland about 870 AD, under their King, Stirgud the Stout. Later, under their Jarl, Thorfinn Rollo, they invaded France about 911 AD. The French King, Charles the Simple, after Rollo laid siege to Paris, finally conceded defeat and granted northern France to Rollo. Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy. Duke William, who invaded and defeated England in 1066, descended from the first Duke Rollo of Normandy. The Arrow name is a reference to Artois, France, where the family lived prior to emigrating to Scotland.

Early Origins of the Arrow family

The surname Arrow was first found in Staffordshire, where they were Lords of the manor of Arras from early times. They were descended from Bagod of Arras who was descended from the Carloviginian, Count of Artois. Sir Robert Arras held the village of Bromley in that shire from Robert De Toeni, he was Lord of the manor of Arras in Buckinghamshire. But the main branch of the family moved north into Scotland in the train of King David I of Scotland about 1130, who granted them lands in Dumfries.

Early History of the Arrow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Arrow research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1296, 1332, 1525 and 1565 are included under the topic Early Arrow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Arrow Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Arris, Aris, Ariss, Arras, Arres, Arros, Arrows, Arowes, Arwys, Arrarous, Arrous and many more.

Early Notables of the Arrow family

More information is included under the topic Early Arrow Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Arrow migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Arrow Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Federick Arrow, aged 24, who settled in America from London, in 1904
  • Annie Arrow, aged 0, who immigrated to the United States from London, in 1905
  • Sarah Arrow, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States from London, in 1905
  • Carl Arrow, aged 27, who landed in America, in 1918
  • Peter Arrow, aged 66, who landed in America, in 1921

Australia Arrow migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Arrow Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Arrow (post 1700) +

  • Kenneth Arrow (1921-2017), American economist, joint winner of the 1972 Nobel Prize in Economics
  • Tre Arrow, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Oregon 3rd District, 2000 [2]
  • Anita Arrow Summers (1925-2023), American educator of public policy, management, real estate and education and was Professor Emerita at the University of Pennsylvania


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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