A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fable family of England.
Reg. 8212 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a chev. betw. three catharine wheels sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fable Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fable arms are recorded
The Fable 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 England when the Fable 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 Fable Family in England
The surname Fable carries a rich history that likely began as a descriptive nickname in medieval England. During the Middle Ages, people were often given names based on their personality or their profession, and a person known for telling tall tales or reciting stories might have been called a fable. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Fable family were firmly established in the historic city of York. Living in a major northern hub like York suggests that these early ancestors were likely involved in the bustling trade or craft industries that defined the city at the time. Over the following centuries, the family name remained tied to the region as members moved through the social and economic shifts of Northern England. This history reflects the way many English surnames evolved from simple spoken descriptions into permanent family identities that have lasted for hundreds of years.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fabula
A Latin term meaning a story, tale, or narrative.
This name
FableAn occupational or descriptive name for a storyteller or someone known for recounting tales.
also spelled
Fabley
Fable
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
