A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Feste family of England.
Reg. 4766 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a dexter hand couped at the wrist and clenched in pale ar”
MiddlesexEdmonton · Middlesex, c. 1620
Where the Feste Arms Were Recorded
Middlesex
Map of England showing where the Feste arms are recorded
The Feste arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1620.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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 Feste 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Feste Family in England
The surname Feste carries a rich history rooted in the social landscape of seventeenth-century England. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the county of Middlesex by 1620, a time when the region was transitioning from a rural landscape into a vital hub surrounding London. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term, potentially derived from the Middle English word for a feast or a festive occasion, suggesting that early ancestors may have been known for their hospitality or their roles in community celebrations. During this era, families in Middlesex often worked in trades or agriculture, contributing to the local economy as the population began to grow steadily. By settling in this area, the Feste family became part of a complex network of citizens who navigated the shifting political and social tides of the early Stuart period. Their presence in official documents from this time provides a clear link to the foundational years of the family line in Britain.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Festus
Latin origin meaning joyful, festive, or celebratory.
This name
FesteA surname derived from a nickname for a cheerful or merry person.
also spelled
Feste
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
London Metropolitan Archives, Middlesex Sessions Rolls, 1620
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
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handFaith, sincerity and justice
handFaith, sincerity and justice
