A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fiennes family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 7861 · Britain, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à trois lions d'or. C.: un loup assis d'arg., coll. d'un collier à picotons d'or, enchaîné du même. S.: deux loups, pareils à celui du cimier.”
Britainc. 1446
Where the Fiennes Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Fiennes arms are recorded
The Fiennes arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1446.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
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 Britain in this period.
Henry VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VI of England
1422–1461
Reigning in Britain when the Fiennes arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Fiennes Family in Britain
The Fiennes family name has deep roots in the history of Britain, tracing back to the arrival of Norman ancestors who crossed the English Channel. By the year 1446, the family had firmly established a significant presence in the county of Kent. During this period, the family gained prominence through strategic marriages and their involvement in the political life of the region. They were deeply connected to the landed gentry and often held positions of influence within the local government and the royal court. As they settled into their English estates, the family became known for their role in managing large tracts of land and their participation in the complex social hierarchy of the Middle Ages. Their ability to maintain status over several generations helped the name endure as a notable part of the British historical landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au lion de gu., arm. et lamp. de sa.; à la cotice d'azur, br. sur le tout.”
LanguedocLanguedoc, c. 1663
Where the Fiennes Arms Were Recorded
Languedoc
Map of France showing where the Fiennes arms are recorded
The Fiennes arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Britain when the Fiennes arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Languedoc.
Origin & History of the Fiennes Family in France
The family name Fiennes originates from the northern regions of France, specifically taking its name from the commune of Fiennes near Calais. During the medieval period, the family established itself as a prominent noble house with significant landholdings and political influence in the Boulonnais area. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family had expanded their reach into the southern province of Languedoc. Records from 1663 confirm their presence in this region, where they integrated into the local social and administrative structures. This migration reflected the broader movement of French noble families who sought to consolidate their power and manage estates across different parts of the kingdom. The family name remains a testament to this long history of movement and adaptation within the French landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. three lions ramp. or”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Fiennes Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Fiennes arms are recorded
The Fiennes 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 Britain when the Fiennes 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 Fiennes Family in England
The Fiennes family name has deep roots in the history of England, tracing its origins back to the arrival of Norman settlers who crossed the channel following the conquest of 1066. The name itself is derived from the village of Fiennes in the Pas-de-Calais region of northern France. By the early 17th century, the family had firmly established a presence in the county of Kent, where they became influential figures in local society and governance. During this period, members of the family were active participants in the political and religious shifts that defined the Stuart era. Their transition from continental landowners to prominent English residents reflects the broader movement of families who integrated into the British aristocracy and landowning classes over several centuries. By 1620, the family was well-entrenched in the Kentish landscape, maintaining estates that allowed them to exert significant influence on the regional economy and community life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Finis
Latin word meaning end, boundary, or limit.
This name
FiennesRefers to someone who lived near a boundary or border of land.
also spelled
Fienne
Fien
Feenz
Fynnes
Related arms
Brueys de Souvignarguessimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Cokayne, George Edward. The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct, or Dormant. 1910
Richardson, Douglas. Magna Carta Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families. 2011
The National Archives, Kew. Close Rolls, Henry VI. 1446
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
