A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fitz-Lewis family of England.
Reg. 2702 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
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. a fesse betw. six annulets gu”
EssexEssex, c. 1620
Where the Fitz-Lewis Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Fitz-Lewis arms are recorded
The Fitz-Lewis arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Fitz-Lewis 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Fitz-Lewis Family in England
The surname Fitz-Lewis emerged during the medieval period as a patronymic, meaning it was formed by combining the prefix "Fitz," derived from the Anglo-Norman word for son, with the given name Lewis. This naming convention was common among families of Norman descent who settled in England following the conquest. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the county of Essex. Records from 1620 confirm that individuals bearing this name were active participants in the local community during this era. The family likely integrated into the regional social structure through land ownership and local governance, which helped them maintain their identity across several generations in the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ludovicus
A Latinized form of the Germanic name meaning famous warrior.
This name
Fitz-LewisAn Anglo-Norman patronymic meaning son of Lewis, derived from the Frankish name Chlodovech.
also spelled
Fitzlewes
Related arms
Fitz-Lewesvariant 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 British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Quarter Sessions Rolls, 1620
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
