A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Felter family of England.
Reg. 7823 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. three bendlets ar. a bordure of the last charged with eight fleurs-de-lis of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Felter Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Felter arms are recorded
The Felter 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 Felter 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 Felter Family in England
The surname Felter is rooted in the occupational history of medieval England, likely originating as a descriptive name for someone who worked as a felter. In the textile industry of that era, a felter was a craftsman who produced felt by matting and pressing wool fibers together to create hats, heavy cloth, or padding. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Felter family were established residents of York. During this period, York served as a major northern hub for trade and craftsmanship, providing a logical environment for families involved in the wool and textile trades to thrive. As these families settled into the city, the name transitioned from a simple job title into a permanent hereditary surname passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Felt
A type of matted fabric made from wool or fur.
This name
FelterAn occupational surname for a maker or seller of felted goods.
also spelled
Felterh
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bordureA difference between branches of one family
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
