A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fitch family of England.
Reg. 5184 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. guttée de sang a cross engr. gu”
WarwickWarwick, c. 1620
Where the Fitch Arms Were Recorded
Warwick
Map of England showing where the Fitch arms are recorded
The Fitch arms were recorded in Warwick, c. 1620.
Warwickshire lay in the middle of England, and its landed families were spread evenly across it rather than gathered in one corner. A great many held a single manor each, and each of those holdings brought its own claim to 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 Fitch 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 Warwick.
Origin & History of the Fitch Family in England
The surname Fitch is an ancient English name that likely originated as a nickname derived from the Middle English word fitche, which referred to a polecat or a stoat. During the medieval period, such names were often given to individuals who displayed traits associated with a specific animal, such as agility or a quick temperament. By the time the family established a presence in Warwick in 1620, the name had already been rooted in the English landscape for several centuries. Families bearing this name were typically part of the emerging middle class, often working as merchants, landowners, or skilled tradesmen. As the family settled in Warwick, they became part of the local social fabric during a time of significant transition in England. This period saw many families like the Fitches navigating the complexities of local governance and the early stages of colonial expansion, which eventually led some members of the name to seek new opportunities across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fiche
Old French term for an iron spike or a pointed tool.
This name
FitchOriginally a nickname for a person who was thin or sharp-featured.
also spelled
Fytch
Fytche
Ffytche
Related arms
Ffytchevariant spelling
Fytchevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Warwickshire County Record Office, Quarter Sessions 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.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
cross symbolChristian faith and service
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
