A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Foot family of England.
Reg. 4456 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. on a chev. sa. betw. three trefoils slipped vert two trefoils of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Foot Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Foot arms are recorded
The Foot 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 Foot 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 Foot Family in England
The surname Foot is a topographical name that originated in England during the Middle Ages. It was typically given to individuals who lived at the base of a hill or near the lower end of a valley. By the early 17th century, the family had established a presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Foot family were active residents in this northern hub during a time of significant social and religious change in England. As the name spread across the country, it became associated with families who were often involved in local trade and municipal life. These early ancestors helped shape the identity of the name long before many of their descendants eventually migrated to other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fōt
Old English word for the lower extremity of the leg.
This name
FootA topographic name for someone living at the bottom of a hill or a nickname for a swift runner.
also spelled
Fote
Related arms
Hawleyrecorded with Foot, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
