A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fitz-Stephen family of England.
Reg. 6435 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. an eagle displ. with two heads ar. (another, or)”
DevonNorton · Devon, c. 1620
Where the Fitz-Stephen Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Fitz-Stephen arms are recorded
The Fitz-Stephen arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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 Fitz-Stephen 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Fitz-Stephen Family in England
The surname Fitz-Stephen is a classic example of a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of someone named Stephen. The prefix "Fitz" comes from an Old French word that was brought to England following the Norman Conquest, and it served as a way to distinguish individuals within a growing population. While the name has roots in the medieval period, the family established a notable presence in the county of Devon by the early 17th century. By 1620, records show that members of the family were well-integrated into the local social and economic life of the region. During this era, families in Devon were often involved in maritime trade or agriculture, which allowed them to build stable lives in the rural parishes of the English West Country. The name persisted through generations as a marker of their specific lineage and their long-standing connection to the landscape of southwestern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Stephanus
Derived from the Greek word for crown or garland.
This name
Fitz-StephenAn Anglo-Norman patronymic indicating the son of Stephen.
also spelled
Fitzstevens
Related arms
Fitz-Stevensvariant 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
Vivian, J.L., The Visitations of the County of Devon: Comprising the Herald's Visitations of 1531, 1564, & 1620, 1895
The National Archives, Exchequer: King's Remembrancer: Port Books, E 190
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eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
