A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fitter family of England.
Reg. 3697 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. two swans in pale ar. beaked and legged or, betw. as many flaunches of the last”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fitter Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fitter arms are recorded
The Fitter 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 Fitter 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 Fitter Family in England
The surname Fitter is an occupational name that likely emerged during the Middle Ages to describe a person who worked as a skilled craftsman or a metalworker. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Fitter family were well-established residents of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and industry, and families with this name were often integrated into the city’s vibrant guild system. As the name suggests a role in fitting parts together, such as in carpentry or blacksmithing, these early ancestors likely played a vital part in the construction and maintenance of the city’s infrastructure. Their presence in York reflects a long history of craftsmanship that helped shape the local economy and community life in northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fitt
Middle English term for a foot or a rhythmic musical beat
This name
FitterAn occupational surname for a person who assembled parts or a maker of rhythmic songs
also spelled
Fytter
Fittar
Fyttar
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
