A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fires family of England.
Reg. 6214 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
portcullisProtection of the household, and the guarded gate
bombOne who has faced a great siege
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. on a chev. gu. betw. two bombs sa. fired ppr. in chief, in base a salamander in flames also ppr. a portcullis with chains pendent betw. two falcons affrontée, belled or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fires Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fires arms are recorded
The Fires 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 Fires 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 Fires Family in England
The surname Fires carries a history deeply rooted in the northern English city of York, where records confirm family members were established as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families living there were often connected to the city’s vibrant guild system or local parish life. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a locational identifier, reflecting the common medieval practice of naming individuals after their trade, physical traits, or the specific neighborhoods they inhabited. As the family navigated the social and economic shifts of the Stuart era, they became part of the enduring fabric of Yorkshire society. By remaining in such a historically significant city, the early members of the Fires family contributed to the local community during a time of great national change, leaving behind a legacy that is still tied to the region today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fyr
Old English term for fire or a beacon light.
This name
FiresAn occupational name for a fire-tender or someone living near a beacon.
also spelled
Fyers
Fires
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
Collins, Francis, Register of the Freemen of the City of York, 1897
York City Archives, City of York House Books
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
portcullisProtection of the household, and the guarded gate
bombOne who has faced a great siege
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
portcullisProtection of the household, and the guarded gate
bombOne who has faced a great siege
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
