A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fildes family of England.
Reg. 5213 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. sa. a chief gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fildes Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fildes arms are recorded
The Fildes 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 Fildes 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 Fildes Family in England
The surname Fildes is a topographical name that likely originated in Northern England, specifically within the county of Yorkshire. It is derived from the Middle English word "feld," which referred to an open stretch of land or a pasture. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the city of York, where records confirm their presence by 1620. During this period, the name was often spelled in various ways, such as Filds or Fyldes, reflecting the inconsistent spelling habits of the era. Families with this name were typically part of the local merchant or tradesman classes, contributing to the bustling economic life of York as it transitioned through the Stuart period. Because the name is tied to the landscape, it suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or laborers who lived near a prominent field or clearing before moving into the city walls to pursue new livelihoods.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
feld
An open area of land or a pasture.
This name
FildesA topographic name for someone who lived near an open field or pasture.
also spelled
Fildes
Fyelds
Phields
Fyldes
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
York City Archives, Freemen of the City of York Registers, 1600–1650
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
