A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fanner family of England.
Reg. 4863 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. betw. three leopards' faces or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fanner Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fanner arms are recorded
The Fanner 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 Fanner 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 Fanner Family in England
The surname Fanner is an occupational name that likely emerged in medieval England to describe someone who worked with a fan or a winnowing basket. These tools were essential for separating grain from chaff during the harvest, making the Fanner a vital figure in local agricultural life. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Fanner family were living in this region by 1620, a time when York served as a major northern hub for trade and administration. Living in such a prominent city suggests that these early ancestors were likely integrated into the urban economy, perhaps continuing their traditional craft or adapting to the changing commercial landscape of the Stuart era. Their presence in the city archives during this period provides a clear link to the social fabric of northern England long before the industrial transformations of later centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fannere
Old English term for a winnower or one who cleans grain.
This name
FannerAn occupational surname for a person who winnowed corn or grain using a fan or basket.
also spelled
Fannar
Fannor
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, York City Chamberlains’ Account Rolls, 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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
