Map of England showing where the Faison arms are recorded
The Faison arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Faison 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 York.
Origin & History of the Faison Family in England
The Faison family name carries a history that traces back to the early seventeenth century in York, England. Records from 1620 place family members within this historic city, which served as a major hub for trade and administration during that era. The name itself is believed to be a variation of the French word façon, which refers to the way something is made or a person's physical appearance. It is likely that the name was brought to England by settlers or merchants who moved across the channel, eventually becoming established in the northern English landscape. As these early individuals settled in York, they became part of a society defined by local guilds and parish life. Over time, the family name evolved in spelling and pronunciation as it moved through different generations and regions. This early presence in York highlights how the family integrated into the local community during a period of significant social change in England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Faisant
Old French word meaning doing or making.
This name
FaisonAn occupational surname for someone who was a maker or a doer.
also spelled
Fyson
Fissone
Fysson
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. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
York City Archives, Parish Registers of York, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
axeThe execution of military duty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
axeThe execution of military duty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
