Map of England showing where the Folse arms are recorded
The Folse 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 Folse 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 Folse Family in England
The history of the Folse family name is deeply rooted in the social shifts of seventeenth-century England. Records confirm that members of the family were established in the historic city of York by 1620, a time when the region was a bustling hub of trade and religious transition. During this era, families often identified themselves through their local parish connections and their specific roles within the community. The name likely evolved from regional dialects and the way scribes recorded names during church baptisms or legal transactions. As the family grew, they became part of the broader movement of English citizens who navigated the challenges of the Stuart period. By maintaining a presence in York, the early Folses contributed to the long-standing cultural fabric of Northern England before many families of that time began to look toward the expanding colonial frontiers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Falsus
Latin term meaning deceptive, false, or untrue.
This name
FolseA nickname for a person considered deceitful or a teller of untruths.
also spelled
Folyshe
Folysh
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Archives: Parish Registers of York St. Martin-cum-Gregory
Raine, Angelo, Mediaeval York: A Topographical Survey Based on Original Sources, 1955
York City Archives, House Books of the Corporation of York, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
