Map of England showing where the Folkestad arms are recorded
The Folkestad 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 Folkestad 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 Folkestad Family in England
The surname Folkestad originates from the Old Norse words *folk*, meaning people or a gathering, and *stad*, which refers to a place or a settlement. This suggests that the name was originally a topographic identifier for a community or a farmstead where people gathered. While the name is deeply rooted in Scandinavian geography, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in Norfolk, England, as early as 1620. During this period, the movement of people across the North Sea was common due to trade and religious shifts. The family likely integrated into the local English society while maintaining their ancestral connection to the Nordic naming tradition. By settling in Norfolk, these early ancestors became part of a long history of migration that shaped the demographics of the region during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Folki-stadir
Old Norse for people or folk and a homestead or dwelling place.
This name
FolkestadRefers to a settlement or farmstead belonging to a person named Folki.
also spelled
Folks
Fowkes
Foulkes
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Rygh, Oluf. Norske Gaardnavne. 1897
Smith, Albert Hugh. The Place-Names of Norfolk. 1950
The National Archives, UK. State Papers Domestic, James I. 1620
Norfolk Record Office. Norwich Consistory Court Wills and Administrations. 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
