A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Faden family of England.
Reg. 6144 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. two bends gu. in chief a cock sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Faden Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Faden arms are recorded
The Faden 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 Faden 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 Faden Family in England
The surname Faden is rooted in the linguistic traditions of Northern England, where it likely emerged as a descriptive occupational name or a localized nickname. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Faden family were well-established residents of York. During this period, York served as a vital center of commerce and administration, and families living there were often involved in the city’s thriving trade guilds or agricultural land management. The name itself may be linked to the Middle English word for a thread or a unit of measurement, suggesting that early ancestors might have worked as weavers or surveyors. As these individuals navigated the social landscape of seventeenth-century Yorkshire, they contributed to the local economy and the steady growth of the city’s population. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the region, reflecting the deep historical ties that many families developed within the walled city of York.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fathm
Old English term for an embrace or the length of outstretched arms.
This name
FadenAn occupational name for a maker of thread, twine, or measuring cords.
also spelled
Fadin
Fadon
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
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
