A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fairbairn family of England.
Reg. 3120 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Gu. an eagle, wings endorsed or, a bordure erm”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fairbairn Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fairbairn arms are recorded
The Fairbairn 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 Fairbairn 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 Fairbairn Family in England
The surname Fairbairn originated in the Scottish Borders and Northern England as a descriptive nickname. It comes from the Middle English words "fair" and "bairn," which together translate to "beautiful child." By the early 17th century, the family had established a presence in the city of York, where records confirm they were living by 1620. During this era, families often moved between the northern counties of England and the Scottish Lowlands for trade or agricultural work. Because the name was rooted in a common nickname rather than a specific location, it likely emerged independently in several different areas before becoming a settled family name. The Fairbairns in York were part of a growing urban population that helped shape the local economy and social life of the city during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fæger bearn
Old English words for beautiful or fair and child or offspring.
This name
FairbairnA descriptive surname for a handsome or beautiful child.
also spelled
Fairbarn
Fairbarne
Related arms
Marshallrecorded with Fairbairn, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
Bardsley, Charles Wareing. A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames. 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bordureA difference between branches of one family
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
