A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Filmer family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5658 · Britain, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Fascé d'or et de sa.; au chef du sec., ch. de trois quintefeuilles du premier. C.: un château masuré d'or, sommé d'un faucon ess. au nat., bq. et m. d'or.”
KentKent, c. 1700
Where the Filmer Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Filmer arms are recorded
The Filmer arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1700.
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.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Filmer 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Filmer Family in Britain
The Filmer family name has deep roots in the English county of Kent, where the family established a significant presence by the early 18th century. The name itself is thought to be topographic in origin, likely derived from Old English terms describing someone who lived near a specific field or a boundary marker. By the 1700s, members of the Filmer family were deeply integrated into the local social and economic life of Kent, often serving as landowners and local officials. This period was a time of great agricultural development in the region, and the family’s history is closely tied to the management of rural estates and the growth of local communities. Their long-standing residence in this part of England reflects a pattern of stability common to many families who helped shape the landscape and governance of the British countryside during the Georgian era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Barry of six or and sa. on a chief of the last three cinquefoils of the first”
KentEast Sutton · Kent, c. 1620
Where the Filmer Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Filmer arms are recorded
The Filmer 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 Filmer 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 Filmer Family in England
The Filmer family established deep roots in the county of Kent during the early seventeenth century, emerging as significant landowners in the region. By 1620, the family was well-settled at East Sutton, a location that would remain their primary seat for many generations. The name itself is thought to be occupational in origin, likely derived from the Old English term for a filler or a person who worked with felt. As the family grew in prominence, they became deeply involved in the local governance and agricultural management of Kentish society. Their presence in the area reflects the broader movement of families who rose to local influence through land ownership and participation in regional administrative roles during the Stuart period. Through careful management of their estates, the Filmers secured a lasting legacy within the social fabric of southeastern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fil
Old English term for a son or descendant.
This name
FilmerA surname denoting the son of a person named Phil or a descendant of a specific lineage.
also spelled
Filmar
Fylmer
Filmerr
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Hasted, Edward, The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent, 1797
The National Archives, Records of the Filmer family of East Sutton Park, Kent, Series U120
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
