Map of England showing where the Firth arms are recorded
The Firth arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat 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 England when the Firth 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Firth Family in England
The surname Firth is a topographical name that originally described where a person lived. It comes from the Old Norse word "firth," which refers to an inlet of the sea or a wooded area. By the time the name became established in England, it often identified families who lived near a forest or a clearing in the woods. While the name is most commonly associated with Northern England, historical records confirm that members of the Firth family were living in Devon by 1620. During this period, families often moved to different regions to find work in agriculture or trade. These early settlers in Devon likely adapted to the local landscape while keeping the name that connected them to their ancestral roots. Over time, the spelling became standardized as people began to record their births and marriages in official parish registers.
Firth Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
fyrth
An Old English term referring to a wooded area or forest.
This name
FirthA topographic name for someone who lived near a woodland or a clearing in a forest.
also spelled
Frith
Fryth
Frithe
Related arms
Frithvariant spelling
Frythvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
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
axeThe execution of military duty
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
axeThe execution of military duty
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
