A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fig family of England.
Reg. 5052 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pine treeSteadfastness through every season
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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. three chev. betw. as many pine slips vert”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fig Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fig arms are recorded
The Fig 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 Fig 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 Fig Family in England
The family name Fig is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname or a locational identifier in medieval England. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Fig family were well-established residents of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious significance, providing a stable environment for families to build their livelihoods. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots, possibly relating to a person who lived near a specific landmark or someone known for a particular trait. As these early ancestors navigated the social and economic landscape of seventeenth-century Yorkshire, they contributed to the local community through their work and daily interactions. Their presence in such a historic city suggests that the family was integrated into the fabric of English life during a time of significant social change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ficus
Latin term for the fig tree or its fruit.
This name
FigAn occupational name for a grower or seller of figs or a topographic name for someone living near a fig tree.
also spelled
Phig
Fyge
Figge
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pine treeSteadfastness through every season
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pine treeSteadfastness through every season
