A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fairs family of England.
Reg. 0787 · 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 Fairs Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fairs arms are recorded
The Fairs 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 Fairs 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 Fairs Family in England
The surname Fairs is rooted in the linguistic traditions of Northern England, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname. During the medieval period, names were often derived from a person’s physical appearance or character traits, and "fair" was commonly used to describe someone with light hair or a pleasant complexion. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Fairs family were living in this region by 1620, placing them in a bustling center of trade and religion during the Stuart era. As residents of York, these early family members would have navigated a city defined by its ancient walls and its role as a northern hub for commerce and local government. Over time, the name transitioned from a simple descriptor into a permanent hereditary surname that linked generations of the family to the social and economic life of Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fager
Old English term meaning beautiful, fair, or pleasing to the eye.
This name
FairsA descriptive nickname for a person with a fair complexion or light-colored hair.
also spelled
Faires
Fayres
Fayrs
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Hey, David, The Oxford Guide to Family History, 2002
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
