Map of Ireland showing where the Fant arms are recorded
The Fant arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1380.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into the registers.
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 Ireland in this period.
Richard II of England
Sovereign of the period
Richard II of England
1377–1399
Reigning in Ireland when the Fant arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Leicester.
Origin & History of the Fant Family in Ireland
The surname Fant has deep roots in English history, with records confirming that family members were established in Leicester as early as 1380. During the late fourteenth century, the name likely functioned as a descriptive nickname, as the word "fant" was a Middle English term often used to refer to a child or a young, spirited person. At this time, Leicester was a growing market town, and families like the Fants were often involved in local trades or agricultural work that defined the medieval economy. Because surnames were still becoming standardized during this period, the name was likely passed down through oral tradition before appearing in official tax rolls or legal documents. By settling in the East Midlands, the early Fant family became part of the social fabric of a region that was central to English commerce and medieval life.
Fant Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
fann
Old Irish term referring to a slope or a hillside.
This name
FantA topographical surname denoting someone who lived on or near a hillside.
also spelled
Fawnt
Fawnte
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
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
The National Archives, Poll Tax Returns for Leicestershire, 1380
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
