A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fauntleroy family of England.
Reg. 3458 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. three infants' heads couped at the shoulders ppr. crined or”
DorsetFauntleroy's Marsh · Dorset, c. 1620
Where the Fauntleroy Arms Were Recorded
Dorset
Map of England showing where the Fauntleroy arms are recorded
The Fauntleroy arms were recorded in Dorset, c. 1620.
Dorset was quiet farming and grazing country along the south coast. Its gentry were middling rather than grand, but they held their manors for a very long time, and long holding is what puts a name in the records.
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 Fauntleroy 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 Dorset.
Origin & History of the Fauntleroy Family in England
The Fauntleroy family name is a unique example of a surname derived from a descriptive nickname. The name originates from the Old French phrase *enfant le roy*, which translates to "the king's child." During the medieval period, this name was likely given to a person who was either an illegitimate child of a royal figure or someone who served in a royal household. By the time the family established a firm presence in the county of Dorset during the early 17th century, they had become well-integrated into the local landed gentry. The family held significant estates in areas such as Fauntleroy Marsh, which helped them maintain their social standing and influence within the region. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were active participants in the local government and agricultural life of Dorset, marking a period of stability before many members of the family eventually sought new opportunities in the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Enfant le roi
Old French phrase meaning child of the king.
This name
FauntleroyA locative or descriptive surname denoting a royal child or a person of noble descent.
Related arms
Fantleroysame arms
Fantlaroy, or Fantliervariant 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
Hutchins, John, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset, 1774
The National Archives, Kew, Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11
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knightChivalry and service in arms
knightChivalry and service in arms
