A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fellows family of England.
Reg. 1264 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Az. a fesse dancettée erm. betw. three lions' heads erased or, murally crowned ar”
HuntingdonRamsey Abbey · Huntingdon, c. 1620
Where the Fellows Arms Were Recorded
Huntingdon
Map of England showing where the Fellows arms are recorded
The Fellows arms were recorded in Huntingdon, c. 1620.
Huntingdonshire was small, flat fen-edge country. Drainage made new farmland and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
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 Fellows 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 Huntingdon.
Origin & History of the Fellows Family in England
The surname Fellows originated in England as a descriptive term for a companion or a partner. During the Middle Ages, the word fellow was used to identify a person who shared a common interest or lived in the same community. Over time, this term evolved into a formal family name as people began to adopt permanent surnames for tax and legal purposes. By the early 17th century, the family was well established in the market town of Huntingdon. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Fellows family were active participants in the local life of this region. These early ancestors likely worked as tradespeople or farmers who contributed to the local economy of Huntingdonshire. As the family grew, they became a recognized part of the town’s history, helping to shape the community during a period of significant social change in England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fela
Old English term referring to a companion or partner.
This name
FellowsA surname denoting a person who was a companion, associate, or member of a guild.
also spelled
Fellows
Fallowes
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
Huntingdonshire Archives, Parish Registers of Huntingdon, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
