A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Folcher family of England.
Reg. 5502 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Erm. on a bend gu. three bezants (another, plates)”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Folcher Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Folcher arms are recorded
The Folcher 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 Folcher 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 Folcher Family in England
The surname Folcher is rooted in ancient Germanic naming traditions, derived from the Old High German name Volkher, which translates to "people’s army" or "guardian of the people." By the time the name appeared in York in 1620, it had evolved through various regional dialects and spelling shifts common in Northern England. Families bearing this name during the early seventeenth century were often part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that defined the city’s economy. Living in York during this period meant navigating a society deeply influenced by the aftermath of the Reformation and the shifting political climate of the Stuart era. These early Folchers likely contributed to the local trade networks of the region, establishing a presence in the city that coincided with a time of significant urban development and social change in Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Folc-hari
Old Germanic elements meaning people and army.
This name
FolcherA name denoting a leader or guardian of the people's army.
also spelled
Folchard
Folcherd
Folchier
Related arms
Folchardvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
