A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Foister family of England.
Reg. 9357 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Az. a chev. erminois betw. two buglehorns in chief and a stag's head erased in base or”
MiddlesexMiddlesex, c. 1784
Where the Foister Arms Were Recorded
Middlesex
Map of England showing where the Foister arms are recorded
The Foister arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1784.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in England when the Foister 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Foister Family in England
The surname Foister is a variant of the older English name Foster, which originally served as an occupational title for a forester or a person responsible for maintaining woodland. By the late 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in Middlesex, a historic county that encompassed much of the growing city of London. During this period, the name appeared in local parish records and legal documents as the family integrated into the urban life of the capital. Because Middlesex was a major hub for trade and migration, families like the Foisters often moved between rural areas and the city to find work in emerging industries. This transition reflects the broader social changes occurring in England during the late 1700s, as families adapted their traditional roles to suit the needs of a rapidly modernizing society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
foster
A person who feeds, nourishes, or acts as a guardian.
This name
FoisterAn occupational surname for a forester or a person who acted as a foster parent.
also spelled
Foister
Foystar
Foystre
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Middlesex Parish Registers, 1784
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
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
