A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fender family of England.
Reg. 9126 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 dexter hand holding up on the point of a sword ar. an otter's head couped or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fender Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fender arms are recorded
The Fender 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 Fender 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 Fender Family in England
The surname Fender is believed to have originated as a descriptive occupational name in Northern England. During the medieval period, the term was often used to identify a person who acted as a defender or a guardian of a specific property or boundary. By the early 17th century, the family had established a clear presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Fender family were living and working within the city walls during this era. As York was a major center for trade and administration, these early residents likely participated in the local guild system or held positions within the city’s bustling merchant community. Over time, the name became firmly rooted in the region, reflecting the family’s long-standing connection to the social and economic life of Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fendre
Old French verb meaning to split or cleave.
This name
FenderAn occupational name for a woodcutter or someone who splits timber.
also spelled
Fendre
Fendour
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, Percy Hide, 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.
handFaith, sincerity and justice
handFaith, sincerity and justice
