Map of England showing where the Fast arms are recorded
The Fast arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1620.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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 Fast 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Fast Family in England
The surname Fast is rooted in the linguistic traditions of Northern Europe, where it functioned as a descriptive nickname for a person characterized by their steadfastness, loyalty, or physical strength. The name likely emerged from the Middle English or Old German word "fast," which carried meanings related to being firm, immovable, or reliable. By the early 17th century, the family had established a presence in Middlesex, England, a region that served as a vital hub for trade and administration near London. Records from this era indicate that members of the Fast family were integrated into the local community, living through a period of significant social and political transition in English history. As the family grew, they participated in the typical life of the seventeenth-century English countryside, contributing to the local economy and the development of their parish through their daily work and community involvement.
Fast Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
faest
Old English word meaning firm, fixed, or secure.
This name
FastA descriptive nickname for a person who was steadfast, reliable, or physically strong.
also spelled
Feste
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
London Metropolitan Archives, Middlesex Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
handFaith, sincerity and justice
handFaith, sincerity and justice
