Map of England showing where the Fincher arms are recorded
The Fincher 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 Fincher 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 Fincher Family in England
The Fincher family name has roots that stretch back to medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive occupational surname. Etymologists often link the name to the Old English word "finc," which means finch, suggesting that early ancestors may have been bird catchers or people known for their quick, bird-like movements. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Fincher family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the local craft guilds or the wool industry. These early Finchers were part of a society transitioning through the Renaissance, living in a city defined by its ancient Roman walls and its status as a northern hub of English culture. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of the region, eventually participating in the broader migrations that would see the name spread across the British Isles and beyond.
Fincher Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Finch
A small seed-eating songbird of the finch family.
This name
FincherAn occupational or topographical name for someone who caught finches or lived near them.
also spelled
Fyncher
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
