A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fagg family of England.
Reg. 2892 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. three bends sa. a chief or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fagg Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fagg arms are recorded
The Fagg 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 Fagg 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 Fagg Family in England
The surname Fagg is considered a locational or occupational name that likely emerged in the southern regions of England before spreading northward. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Fagg family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, the family was integrated into the local community, often appearing in parish registers and legal documents related to trade and property. The name itself is thought to derive from Old English roots, possibly referring to a person who worked with bundles of sticks or brushwood, which were commonly called faggots in Middle English. As the family grew, they became active participants in the civic life of York, contributing to the city’s development during the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fag
Middle English term for a knot or a loose end of thread.
This name
FaggAn occupational name for a maker of fringes or a person who worked with cloth.
also spelled
Faj
Fagg
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 Archives: Parish Registers of York St. Michael le Belfrey, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
