A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Farrant family of England.
Reg. 5942 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
vairProtection, and the winter fur
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
VairMeans: Protection
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)
“Ar. on a chief gu. two crosses patonce vair”
SurreyMitcham · Surrey, c. 1586
Where the Farrant Arms Were Recorded
Surrey
Map of England showing where the Farrant arms are recorded
The Farrant arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1586.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Farrant 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Farrant Family in England
The surname Farrant is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Old French word "ferant," which means iron-gray or iron-colored. This name was often used to describe someone with gray hair or a particularly stern, iron-like temperament. By the late sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the English county of Surrey. Records from 1586 confirm that members of the Farrant family were living and working in this region during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. During this period, families with this name were often involved in local agriculture, trade, or the burgeoning craft industries of southern England. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local parish structures, leaving behind a trail of baptismal and property records that document their steady influence in the Surrey countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ferrant
Derived from the Old French word for iron-grey or iron-colored.
This name
FarrantA nickname for someone with iron-grey hair or a swarthy complexion.
also spelled
Farrand
Farrent
Related arms
Adamsrecorded with Farrant, same area
Ellingworthrecorded with Farrant, same area
Greenerecorded with Farrant, same area
More-Gordonrecorded with Farrant, same area
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, 1958
Surrey History Centre, Parish Registers of Surrey, 1586
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
