A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fille family of England.
Reg. 7961 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
vairProtection, and the winter fur
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a fesse vair betw. six crosses formée or, three, two, and one”
DevonFilleigh · Devon, c. 1620
Where the Fille Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Fille arms are recorded
The Fille arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat 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 England when the Fille 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Fille Family in England
The surname Fille has deep roots in the coastal county of Devon, where members of the family were firmly established by the early 17th century. During this period, the name was closely tied to the rural landscape of southwestern England, a region defined by its rolling hills and strong maritime traditions. Families like the Filles often lived as tenant farmers or tradespeople, contributing to the local economy of small parish communities. Because record-keeping in the 1600s relied heavily on church registers, the survival of the name in Devon documents suggests that these ancestors were stable members of their villages who participated in the social and religious life of the era. Over time, the name likely evolved through local dialects, reflecting the unique linguistic history of the West Country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Filius
Latin term meaning son or offspring.
This name
FilleA locative or occupational surname derived from the Latin word for son.
also spelled
Filley
Fille
Fylley
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Hoskins, W. G., Devon, 1954
Reaney, P. H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Parish registers for the Diocese of Exeter, 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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
