A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Folkes family of England.
Reg. 1155 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Per pale vert and gu. a fleur-de-lis erm”
NorfolkHillingdon · Norfolk, c. 1620
Where the Folkes Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Folkes arms are recorded
The Folkes arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Folkes 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Folkes Family in England
The family name Folkes is deeply rooted in the history of Norfolk, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1620. The name itself is a patronymic, meaning it originated as a way to identify a person as the son or descendant of someone named Folk. This name was derived from the Old English word folc, which simply meant people or folk. During the Middle Ages, names based on common personal titles became popular as populations grew and people needed more specific ways to distinguish themselves from their neighbors. By the early 17th century, the Folkes family had become a recognized part of the local community in Norfolk, participating in the agricultural and social life of the region. Their presence in this part of England during the early 1600s suggests they were part of the stable, land-owning or farming classes that helped shape the rural landscape of East Anglia.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Folc
An Old English term referring to the common people or tribe.
This name
FolkesA patronymic surname derived from the personal name Folk, signifying a descendant of the people.
also spelled
Folks
Fowkes
Foulkes
Related arms
Foulkesvariant spelling
Fowkesvariant spelling
Gorgerecorded with Folkes, same area
Treswallenrecorded with Folkes, same area
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, 1997
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Registers for the Diocese of Norwich, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
