A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Forte family of England.
Reg. 2094 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. three mallets gu. (another, sa.)”
SomersetSomerset, c. 1620
Where the Forte Arms Were Recorded
Somerset
Map of England showing where the Forte arms are recorded
The Forte arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1620.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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 Forte 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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Forte Family in England
The surname Forte traces its roots to the descriptive language of medieval Europe, where it originated as a nickname for a person of great physical strength or resilience. By the early seventeenth century, the name was firmly established in the English county of Somerset. Records from 1620 confirm that families bearing this name were living in the region during a period of significant social and agricultural change. These early settlers were likely involved in the local farming communities that defined the landscape of the West Country. Over time, the name evolved from a simple descriptor of character into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations. This transition reflects the broader historical trend of surnames becoming fixed as families grew and moved across the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fortis
Latin term meaning strong, powerful, or steadfast.
This name
ForteA nickname for a physically strong or brave individual.
also spelled
Fortt
Forts
Related arms
Forts, or De Fortibusvariant spelling
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
Somerset Archives, Quarter Sessions 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.
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
hammerHonest labour, and the smith's craft
