A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Farewell family of England.
Reg. 6092 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a chev. engr. betw. three escallops ar”
SomersetHill Bishop · Somerset, c. 1620
Where the Farewell Arms Were Recorded
Somerset
Map of England showing where the Farewell arms are recorded
The Farewell arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1620.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 Farewell 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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Farewell Family in England
The surname Farewell is a locative name, meaning it likely originated from a specific place or a descriptive feature of the landscape where an early family resided. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Somerset, England. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Farewell family were settled in this region, where they were often associated with land ownership and local administrative roles. The name itself is thought to have evolved from Middle English terms, possibly referring to a person who lived near a pleasant or well-traveled path. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and economic fabric of the West Country, leaving behind a legacy tied to the rural development of the English landscape during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
faran + wel
Old English for to travel or go and a spring or stream.
This name
FarewellA topographic name for someone who lived near a stream used for travel or a journey.
also spelled
Farwell
Fairwell
Fayrewell
Related arms
Farwellvariant spelling
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, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
The National Archives, Kew. Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers. 1620
Somerset Archives and Local Studies. Quarter Sessions Records for the County of Somerset. 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
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
