A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ferris family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2692 · Spanish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à la croix alésée d'arg., ch. d'un flanchis de gu. en coeur et de quatre fers-à-cheval d'azur sur les branches de la croix, les bouts dirigés vers le coeur.”
AragonAragon, c. 1722
Where the Ferris Arms Were Recorded
Aragon
Map of Spain showing where the Ferris arms are recorded
The Ferris arms were recorded in Aragon, c. 1722.
Aragon was mountain and river country in north-eastern Spain, with a strong tradition of small independent landholders. A great many families counted as gentry there, and each one needed a shield to be told apart.
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 Spain in this period.
Philip V of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip V of Spain
1714–1724
Reigning in Spain when the Ferris arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Spain
In Spain, a coat of arms was considered a form of property that belonged to the entire family line. These arms were passed down from a father to all his children equally. Younger branches of the family usually kept the original design without needing to add any special marks to distinguish their specific line.
Granting authority
The Cronista Rey de Armas was the official body that regulated and granted coats of arms throughout Spain.
How they got arms
Families often obtained their arms through royal grants or by proving their noble status to the official heraldic authority.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the registers of the Cronista Rey de Armas starting in 1496.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Aragon.
Origin & History of the Ferris Family in Spain
The history of the Ferris name in Spain is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of the Aragon region. By the early eighteenth century, families bearing this name were well-established members of the local community. Historical records confirm their presence in Aragon by 1722, a time when the region was undergoing significant social and administrative changes following the War of the Spanish Succession. The name likely evolved from local linguistic traditions, reflecting the movement of people across the Iberian Peninsula during the medieval and early modern periods. As residents of Aragon, these early family members were part of a society that valued agricultural land ownership and local governance. Their presence in official documents from this era suggests that they were active participants in the economic life of their towns, contributing to the development of the region during a transformative century in Spanish history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Erm. on a bend cotised gu. betw. a cross moline az. and an anchor erect sa. three horseshoes or”
KentHawkhurst · Kent, c. 1620
Where the Ferris Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Ferris arms are recorded
The Ferris arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Spain when the Ferris 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Ferris Family in England
The family name Ferris has deep roots in the English landscape, with early records placing the family in the county of Kent by the year 1620. The name is generally understood to be a variation of the Old French word "ferre," which refers to someone who worked with iron or was perhaps a blacksmith. During the Middle Ages, surnames were often adopted based on a person’s trade, and as the name moved across the English Channel, it evolved into the spelling we recognize today. By the early seventeenth century, families bearing this name were well-established in the southeastern corner of England. These early ancestors were likely part of the local agricultural or artisanal communities that defined the region. Their presence in Kent suggests they were part of the steady movement of families who settled into stable village life during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ferrum
Latin word meaning iron or a metal tool.
This name
FerrisDerived from a nickname for an ironworker or someone with a strong, iron-like constitution.
also spelled
Feres
Ferrers
Farris
Feris
Ferres
Related arms
Ferrersvariant spelling
Ferresvariant spelling
Ferryvariant spelling
Boysrecorded with Ferris, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivo de la Corona de Aragón, Censo de población de 1722
García Sanz, Ángel, Historia de la economía española, 1994
López Gómez, Antonio, Geografía de Aragón, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
