A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fairbrother family of England.
Reg. 7080 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. a chev. ar. in chief a bezant betw. two lions' heads erased of the second”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fairbrother Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fairbrother arms are recorded
The Fairbrother 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 Fairbrother 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 Fairbrother Family in England
The surname Fairbrother is a descriptive name that likely originated in medieval England as a nickname for a person with a pleasant or friendly disposition. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Fairbrother family were living in this area by 1620, a time when York was a bustling hub of trade and religious activity. During this period, families with this name were often integrated into the local community as tradespeople or craftsmen. Because York was a major center for commerce in Northern England, these early ancestors likely benefited from the city’s stable economy and social structure. Their long-standing residence in such a significant urban center suggests that the Fairbrother family played a consistent role in the local history of the region for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fæger and Brothor
Old English words for beautiful or fair and a male sibling.
This name
FairbrotherA descriptive nickname for a person who was considered a good or handsome brother.
also spelled
Farebrother
Fairbroder
Fairebrother
Related arms
Farebrothervariant spelling
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
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
