A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Foreman family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2851 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Barry wavy of six ar. and az. on a chev. sa. three martlets or, on a chief gu. a lion pass. betw. two anchors gold”
LeicesterLondon · Leicester, c. 1538
Where the Foreman Arms Were Recorded
Leicester
Map of England showing where the Foreman arms are recorded
The Foreman arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1538.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into the registers.
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.
Henry VIII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VIII of England
1509–1547
Reigning in England when the Foreman 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 Leicester.
Origin & History of the Foreman Family in England
The surname Foreman originated in England as a descriptive occupational name, typically identifying a person who held a position of leadership or oversight in a work setting. By the sixteenth century, the name was firmly established in the English Midlands, with specific records confirming the presence of the family in Leicester by 1538. During this era, the name likely referred to a foreman of a jury, a lead worker in a trade guild, or a person responsible for managing agricultural laborers on a manor. As surnames became permanent hereditary markers, these families often remained in the same regions for generations, deeply rooted in the local economy and social structure of the English countryside. The transition from a simple job title to a formal family name reflects the way English society organized itself during the late Middle Ages and the early modern period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
camelPatience and perseverance under burden
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, sa. three camels' heads erased or, each with a bell ar. attached to a collar gu. about her neck, for FORMAN; 2nd and 3rd, az. a chev. betw. three salmon haurient ar., for FISHER”
FifeLuthrie · Fife, c. 1555
Where the Foreman Arms Were Recorded
Fife
Map of Scotland showing where the Foreman arms are recorded
The Foreman arms were recorded in Fife, c. 1555.
Fife was farming country between two firths, with royal palaces and old burghs along its coast. Its landed families were numerous and close to the court, and closeness to the court brought 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 Scotland in this period.
Mary, Queen of Scots
Sovereign of the period
Mary, Queen of Scots
1542–1567
Reigning in England when the Foreman arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Fife.
Origin & History of the Foreman Family in Scotland
The surname Foreman has deep roots in the Scottish landscape, particularly within the region of Fife. By the year 1555, records confirm that members of the family were already established as active participants in the local community. The name itself likely originated as an occupational descriptor, referring to a person who acted as a leader or a foreman of a group of workers or a specific estate. During the sixteenth century, the social structure of Fife was heavily influenced by land ownership and agricultural management. Families like the Foremans often held positions of responsibility that required them to oversee labor and maintain order on behalf of landowners or the church. This role allowed them to become fixtures in the local records as they witnessed legal documents and managed the daily operations of the rural economy. Over time, these early settlers helped shape the identity of the region by serving as the essential link between the landed elite and the common workforce.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
foreman
Old English word meaning someone who stands or works in front.
This name
ForemanAn occupational surname for a person in charge of a group of workers.
also spelled
Foreman
Fourman
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
Leicestershire Record Office, Parish Register of St. Martin’s, Leicester (DE 1568/1), 1538
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
camelPatience and perseverance under burden
bellA call to prayer, and a warning given
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
