A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fitchett family of England.
Reg. 7824 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. a lion ramp. or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fitchett Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fitchett arms are recorded
The Fitchett 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 Fitchett 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 Fitchett Family in England
The surname Fitchett is an ancient name that originated in England as a descriptive nickname. It is derived from the Middle English word "fichet," which was a common term used to describe a polecat or a stoat. In medieval times, people were often given names based on their physical traits or personality, and this name likely referred to someone who was quick, agile, or perhaps had a slender build. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Fitchett family were well-established in the historic city of York. During this period, families in York were often involved in the city’s thriving trade guilds and local governance. As these early ancestors navigated life in a bustling northern center, they helped cement the name within the region, transitioning from a simple nickname into a formal family identity that has persisted for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fichet
Old French term for a pointed iron tool or a stick.
This name
FitchettA nickname for a person who was thin, sharp, or resembled a polecat.
also spelled
Fytchett
Fytchet
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, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames with Special American Instances, 1901
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
