Map of England showing where the Fillis arms are recorded
The Fillis 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 Fillis 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 Fillis Family in England
The family name Fillis has deep roots in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Fillises were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots, possibly serving as a variation of names derived from the medieval period. Because surnames were still becoming standardized during this era, the spelling of the name may have shifted slightly in parish registers and tax documents as it was passed down through generations. These early ancestors lived through a time of great political change in England, and their presence in the city archives suggests they were established residents who contributed to the local community long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Phylippos
Ancient Greek for lover of horses
This name
FillisAn English patronymic surname derived from a diminutive form of Philip.
also spelled
Philius
Filyus
Filiusse
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Archive: Parish Registers of St. Michael le Belfrey
Hey, David, Family Names and Family History, 2000
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
cross symbolChristian faith and service
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
