Map of England showing where the Faircloth arms are recorded
The Faircloth arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1583.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Faircloth 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Faircloth Family in England
The surname Faircloth is an English habitational name that likely originated from a specific place or a descriptive physical feature of the land. By the late sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Lancashire, with records confirming their residence in Lancaster by 1583. During this era, families often took their names from the small villages, farms, or geographic landmarks where they lived and worked. The name itself suggests a connection to a "fair cloth" or a pleasant, open stretch of land, which may have described a local field or a specific homestead. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric of the region, participating in the agricultural and community life that defined northern England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Faircloth Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Fager Cloth
Old English for beautiful or fair fabric.
This name
FairclothA topographical or occupational name for a merchant who sold fine or beautiful textiles.
also spelled
Fairclow
Fairclowe
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
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster Parish Church Registers, PR 3052/1/1, 1583
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
