A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fawkes family of England.
Reg. 9528 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Erm. a mascle sa”
YorkFarnley · York, c. 1786
Where the Fawkes Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fawkes arms are recorded
The Fawkes arms were recorded in York, c. 1786.
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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in England when the Fawkes 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 York.
Origin & History of the Fawkes Family in England
The surname Fawkes is a patronymic name, which means it evolved from the given name Fulk. This name was brought to England by the Normans and was quite popular during the Middle Ages. Over time, the spelling shifted through various forms like Fauk, Faukes, and eventually Fawkes as the English language changed. By the late 18th century, the family had established a clear presence in the city of York. Records from 1786 show that family members were active participants in the local community of that historic northern city. While the name is most famously associated with the historical figure Guy Fawkes, the broader family history reflects the common migration and naming patterns of families living in Yorkshire for many generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Falco
A Latin term referring to a falcon or hawk.
This name
FawkesA nickname for a person with sharp, predatory features or a falconer.
also spelled
Faukes
Related arms
Faukesvariant spelling
Eltoftrecorded with Fawkes, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
York City Archives, York Parish Registers: Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1786
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masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
