A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fernandes family of England.
Reg. 6235 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
axeThe execution of military duty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. two battle axes endorsed or, in base a crescent of the last”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fernandes Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fernandes arms are recorded
The Fernandes 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 Fernandes 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 Fernandes Family in England
The surname Fernandes is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of Fernando. The name Fernando itself comes from Germanic roots meaning brave traveler or bold protector. While the name is most famously associated with the Iberian Peninsula, its presence in England by 1620 suggests that early family members were part of the global movement of people during the Age of Discovery. By the early 17th century, individuals bearing this name were often involved in international trade or religious migrations, which explains how the family line established a foothold in northern English cities like York. These early settlers were likely part of the diverse merchant classes who moved across European borders to seek new economic opportunities or to escape shifting political landscapes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ferdinand
Derived from Germanic elements meaning brave or bold journey.
This name
FernandesA patronymic surname meaning son of the brave traveler.
also spelled
Fernandez
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Hanks, Patrick, Dictionary of American Family Names, 2003
Smith, Elsdon C., American Surnames, 1969
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
axeThe execution of military duty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
axeThe execution of military duty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
