A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Flete family of England.
Reg. 0888 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 chev. sa. in base a trefoil slipped of the second”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Flete Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Flete arms are recorded
The Flete 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 Flete 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 Flete Family in England
The surname Flete is a locational name that originated from the Old English word "fleot," which referred to a small stream, an estuary, or a tidal inlet. Families who took this name often lived near these bodies of water, which were common features in the landscape of medieval England. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Flete family were living there by 1620, a time when York served as a major northern hub for trade, religion, and regional government. These early residents likely participated in the city’s vibrant merchant culture or skilled trades, contributing to the long-standing social fabric of the region. As the family grew, they remained tied to the geography of Northern England, carrying a name that reflected their ancestral connection to the local waterways.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fleot
Old English word for a stream, creek, or inlet.
This name
FleteA topographic name for someone who lived near a tidal stream or estuary.
also spelled
Fleet
Flett
Fleets
Related arms
Flotesame arms
Fleetvariant spelling
Fleetsvariant spelling
Flettvariant spelling
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
