A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fitzmartin family of England.
Reg. 9837 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. two bars gu. a label az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Fitzmartin Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fitzmartin arms are recorded
The Fitzmartin 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 Fitzmartin 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 Fitzmartin Family in England
The surname Fitzmartin follows a naming tradition that originated in medieval England, where the prefix "Fitz" was added to a father's first name to signify "son of." In this case, the name literally translates to "son of Martin." By the early 17th century, families carrying this name had established a presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Fitzmartin family were living and working within this northern hub during a period of significant social and economic change in England. As residents of a major center for trade and administration, these early family members likely participated in the local merchant guilds or the civic life of the city. Their presence in York during this time suggests they were part of the established urban population that helped shape the city’s development before the onset of the English Civil War.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Martinus
Derived from Mars, the Roman god of war.
This name
FitzmartinAn Anglo-Norman patronymic surname meaning son of Martin.
also spelled
Fitzmartin
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
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
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labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
