A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fenwick family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5043 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
duckResourcefulness on land and water
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, on a chev. gu. betw. three martlets sa. two sugar canes of the field”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Fenwick Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Fenwick arms are recorded
The Fenwick arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Fenwick arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Fenwick Family in Ireland
The Fenwick family name has deep roots that stretch across the Irish Sea, finding a firm foothold in Dublin by the middle of the seventeenth century. While the name originated in Northern England, members of the family were well-established in the Irish capital by 1645, likely arriving as part of the shifting political and military landscape of the era. During this period, Dublin served as a central hub for administrators, merchants, and soldiers who moved between the two islands. The Fenwicks quickly integrated into the local urban society, participating in the civic and economic life of a city undergoing rapid transformation. By settling in Dublin, these early family members helped establish a lasting presence for the name in Ireland, transitioning from newcomers to residents who contributed to the city's growth during a turbulent time in history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Per fesse gu. and ar. six martlets counterchanged”
NorthumberlandFenwick · Northumberland, c. 1697
Where the Fenwick Arms Were Recorded
Northumberland
Map of England showing where the Fenwick arms are recorded
The Fenwick arms were recorded in Northumberland, c. 1697.
Northumberland was border country facing Scotland, raided and fought over for three hundred years. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Ireland when the Fenwick 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 Northumberland.
Origin & History of the Fenwick Family in England
The surname Fenwick originates from the rugged landscape of Northumberland in Northern England. The name is locational, meaning it was derived from a specific place called Fenwick, which translates from Old English as a settlement located near a marsh or fen. By the late 17th century, the family was well-established in this region, playing a significant role in the local history of the borderlands. Because Northumberland was a frequent site of conflict and political unrest, the Fenwick family often found themselves involved in the defense and administration of the northern frontier. Their presence in the area by 1697 reflects a long-standing connection to the land, where they lived as landowners and community leaders who helped shape the identity of the Northumbrian countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fenn-wic
Marshland settlement or village located near a fen or wetland.
This name
FenwickDerived from Old English, referring to a person who lived near a marsh or swampy area.
also spelled
Fenweeke
Fenwike
Fenwyke
Related arms
Fenweekevariant spelling
Fenwikevariant spelling
Fenwykevariant spelling
Bewickerecorded with Fenwick, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Firth, C.H. and Rait, R.S., Acts and Ordinances of the Interregnum, 1642–1660, 1911
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Prendergast, John P., The Cromwellian Settlement of Ireland, 1865
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
duckResourcefulness on land and water
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
duckResourcefulness on land and water
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
