Map of England showing where the Fletcher arms are recorded
The Fletcher arms were recorded in Cumberland, c. 1568.
Cumberland was rough border country in the north-west, facing Scotland across a disputed line. Its families held land in return for keeping it defended, and men who fought carried shields of their own.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Fletcher 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 Cumberland.
Origin & History of the Fletcher Family in England
The surname Fletcher originated as an occupational name derived from the Old French word *flechier*, which means an arrow-maker. During the Middle Ages, the ability to craft high-quality arrows was a vital skill for both hunting and national defense. As surnames became common in England, families who specialized in this trade adopted the name to identify their profession within their local communities. By the year 1568, historical records confirm that members of the Fletcher family had established a significant presence in the county of Cumberland. These early settlers were often landowners and local officials who played an active role in the social and economic life of Northern England. Over time, the family name spread from these northern roots to various other regions, reflecting the movement of skilled workers and their descendants across the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. on a cross engr. erm. betw. four plates, each charged with a pheon erect az. a sword in pale ppr. on a canton or, a wreath of laurel vert”
CorkCarrow · Cork, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Fletcher arms are recorded
The Fletcher arms were recorded in Cork, c. 1645.
Cork was the largest county in Ireland, with a great harbour and a wide farming hinterland. Both English settlers and older Irish families held land there, and holding land is what brought a family into the records.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Fletcher arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cork.
Origin & History of the Fletcher Family in Ireland
The name Fletcher originated as an occupational surname describing a person who made or sold arrows. While the name has deep roots in England, it became established in Ireland during the seventeenth century as part of the broader movement of settlers during a time of significant political change. By 1645, records confirm that members of the Fletcher family were living in County Cork. These early arrivals often integrated into the local economy by taking up roles in trade or agriculture within the growing urban centers of the south. As the family settled into life in Ireland, they became part of the diverse social fabric of the region, gradually moving away from their original trade-based identity to become a permanent fixture in the local community.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
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)
“Quarterly, sa. and ar. a cross flory counterchanged”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Fletcher arms are recorded
The Fletcher arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Fletcher arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Fletcher Family in Scotland
The surname Fletcher originated as an occupational name derived from the Old French word *flechier*, which referred to a maker or seller of arrows. While the name is found throughout the British Isles, its presence in Scotland became firmly established through trade and professional migration. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-integrated into the urban life of Edinburgh, as evidenced by records from 1748. During this era, Edinburgh was a hub of intellectual and economic growth, and families like the Fletchers often played roles in the city's expanding mercantile and legal sectors. Their transition from craftsmen to established citizens reflects the broader social mobility occurring in Scotland at the time. This history highlights how a name once tied to the medieval craft of archery evolved into a permanent fixture of Scottish civic society.
Fletcher Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
flechier
Old French term for an arrow maker or fletcher.
This name
FletcherAn occupational surname for a person who manufactured arrows or feathered them for flight.
also spelled
Fletchar
Fletchier
Related arms
Eytonsame arms
Hawardensimilar arms
Fletcharvariant spelling
Bradleyrecorded with Fletcher, same area
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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, Elizabeth I, 1568
Cumbria Archive Service, Records of the Fletcher Family of Hutton-in-the-Forest, 16th Century
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
