A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Follett family of England.
Reg. 5553 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Or, three palm branches vert”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Follett Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Follett arms are recorded
The Follett 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 Follett 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 Follett Family in England
The surname Follett is believed to have originated in medieval England as a descriptive nickname. It likely comes from the Old French word "foulet," which was a term used to describe someone who was considered a bit foolish or lighthearted. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Follett family were living in this region by 1620, placing them in a city that served as a major northern hub for trade and administration. During this era, families often moved between rural villages and growing urban centers to find work in crafts or commerce. As the name spread across England, it evolved from a simple nickname into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fol
A term derived from Old French meaning foolish or mad.
This name
FollettA nickname for a person considered to be a fool or a jester.
also spelled
Follit
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
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palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
palm treeVictory, and righteousness that flourishes
