Map of England showing where the Fichera arms are recorded
The Fichera 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 Fichera 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 Fichera Family in England
The surname Fichera originates from the Italian island of Sicily, where it was historically linked to the cultivation of figs. The name is derived from the Italian word *fico*, which refers to the fruit, and it likely served as an occupational name for a farmer or a merchant who traded in fig orchards. While the family roots are firmly planted in the Mediterranean, the presence of Fichera family members in York by 1620 suggests that these individuals were part of an early wave of continental migration. During the seventeenth century, people often traveled across Europe for trade, religious reasons, or to seek new opportunities in growing urban centers. Settling in a city like York indicates that these early ancestors were likely skilled workers or merchants who integrated into the local economy of Northern England shortly after their arrival from the south.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ficus
Latin term referring to a fig tree or fruit.
This name
FicheraAn occupational or locational surname derived from an Italian word for a fig grower or orchard.
also spelled
Fichet
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
Fucile, Antonio. Storia e genealogia delle famiglie siciliane. 1995
The National Archives, Kew. State Papers Domestic, James I. 1603–1625
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
