A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ferryman family of England.
Reg. 9750 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
horseReadiness to serve king and country
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)
“Gu. three horses' heads couped ar. bridled sa. a bordure engr. of the second”
WorcesterWorcester, c. 1620
Where the Ferryman Arms Were Recorded
Worcester
Map of England showing where the Ferryman arms are recorded
The Ferryman arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1620.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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 Ferryman 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Ferryman Family in England
The surname Ferryman is an occupational name that describes the essential work performed by ancestors in medieval England. During a time when bridges were rare and expensive to build, these individuals operated small boats to transport people, livestock, and goods across rivers and streams. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Ferryman family were well-established in the city of Worcester. Living in a cathedral city situated along the banks of the River Severn, these early family members likely played a vital role in the local economy by maintaining the flow of trade and travel between the city and the surrounding countryside. As time passed, the name transitioned from a simple job title into a permanent family surname that was passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ferian
Old English verb meaning to carry or transport across water.
This name
FerrymanAn occupational surname for an individual who operated a boat to ferry people across a river.
also spelled
Ferryman
Feryman
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
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Worcester City Records: Quarter Sessions and Parish Registers, 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
horseReadiness to serve king and country
bordureA difference between branches of one family
horseReadiness to serve king and country
