A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Farwell family of England.
Reg. 2805 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a chev. engr. ar. betw. three leopards' faces or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Farwell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Farwell arms are recorded
The Farwell 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 Farwell 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 Farwell Family in England
The surname Farwell is believed to have originated in England as a locational name, likely describing someone who lived near a specific well or a pleasant spring. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Farwell family were living in this region by 1620, a time when the city was a major center for trade and religious life. These early ancestors were part of a society transitioning through significant cultural changes, and their residence in such a prominent northern hub suggests they were well-integrated into the local community. Over time, the name spread from these northern roots as family members sought new opportunities, eventually carrying the Farwell identity across the Atlantic to the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
faer-wella
Old English for a pleasant or fortunate spring or stream.
This name
FarwellRefers to someone who lived near a prosperous or beautiful water source.
also spelled
Farewell
Farwill
Related arms
Farewellvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Banks, Charles Edward, The English Ancestry and Homes of the Pilgrim Fathers, 1929
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
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
