A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ficher family of England.
Reg. 1915 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a fesse gu. and bend sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Ficher Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Ficher arms are recorded
The Ficher 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 Ficher 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 Ficher Family in England
The surname Ficher is a variation of the occupational name Fisher, which historically identified individuals who earned their living by catching or selling fish. In the early 17th century, the name was closely tied to the trade guilds and local economies of northern England. Records confirm that members of the Ficher family were established in the city of York by 1620, a time when the city served as a vital hub for commerce and river trade. Living in a major urban center like York allowed families with this name to participate in the bustling markets and craft industries of the era. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved as it was recorded by local clerks and parish officials, reflecting the way the name sounded in the regional dialects of the time. This transition from a descriptive trade title to a permanent family name highlights the way common occupations shaped the identities of families living in historic English cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fisc
Old English term for a fish or aquatic creature.
This name
FicherAn occupational surname for someone who caught or sold fish.
also spelled
Fichet
Related arms
Fichet, or Fitchetvariant spelling
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
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
