A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fines family of England.
Reg. 1391 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. a lion ramp. sa. debruised with a bendlet gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fines Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fines arms are recorded
The Fines 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 Fines 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 Fines Family in England
The history of the Fines family name is deeply rooted in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religion in Northern England, and families like the Fines were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive surname, potentially linked to a person’s physical traits or their status within the community. As the family established their roots in the region, they contributed to the local economy and social fabric of the city during a time of significant transition in English history. By tracking these early residents, historians can better understand how families navigated the challenges of seventeenth-century life in one of England’s most important northern hubs.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
finis
Latin word meaning end, boundary, or limit.
This name
FinesA topographic name for someone who lived near a boundary or border.
also spelled
Fynes
Fyn
Fynnee
Related arms
Fynvariant spelling
Fynesvariant spelling
Fynneevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Dobson, R. B., York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1396-1500 (1980)
Palliser, D. M., Tudor York (1979)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
