A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Faires family of England.
Reg. 0240 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Or, a fesse betw. three anchors az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Faires Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Faires arms are recorded
The Faires 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 Faires 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 Faires Family in England
The family name Faires has roots that trace back to the early seventeenth century in the historic city of York, England. By 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established residents in this region, which was then a major hub for trade and religious life. The name itself likely evolved as a descriptive surname, often used in medieval times to identify individuals based on their physical appearance or their pleasant demeanor. As these families settled into the bustling streets of York, they became part of the local fabric, participating in the daily commerce and social structures of the era. Over the following generations, the name persisted as the family expanded, eventually spreading beyond the city walls to become a part of the broader history of the English people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fayre
Middle English term meaning beautiful, fair, or light-colored.
This name
FairesA descriptive occupational or nickname for someone with a fair complexion or pleasant appearance.
also spelled
Faires
Fayres
Fayrs
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
