A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Foden family of England.
Reg. 3869 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crossbowReadiness for battle and skill at arms
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. on a fesse az. betw. three crossbows strung sa. as many arrows or”
StaffordStafford, c. 1620
Where the Foden Arms Were Recorded
Stafford
Map of England showing where the Foden arms are recorded
The Foden arms were recorded in Stafford, c. 1620.
Staffordshire was mixed country of moorland, farmland and early ironworking. Its landed families were spread widely rather than concentrated, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Foden 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 Stafford.
Origin & History of the Foden Family in England
The surname Foden is a locational name that originated in the county of Cheshire, England, derived from the Old English words for a woodland clearing or a path used by travelers. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the town of Stafford. During this period, the family was deeply integrated into the local community, often appearing in parish registers and municipal records as tradespeople and landowners. The name reflects a time when families were closely tied to the specific geography of their home regions, as the original Foden ancestors likely lived near a prominent forest trail or an open space within the dense woods of the English Midlands. As the family grew, their influence spread through the Staffordshire region, marking them as a stable and enduring part of the local social fabric during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Foda
Old English term for a person or a fodder provider.
This name
FodenDerived from a topographic location referring to a pasture or a field for feeding livestock.
also spelled
Foddenne
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, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Staffordshire Record Office, Stafford Parish Registers (St Mary’s Church), 1620
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
crossbowReadiness for battle and skill at arms
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crossbowReadiness for battle and skill at arms
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
