A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Forth family of England.
Reg. 9164 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a rose betw. two martlets in pale betw. as many flaunches or, each charged with a rose gu”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Forth Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Forth arms are recorded
The Forth arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Forth 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 Forth Family in England
The surname Forth is rooted in the topographical features of the English landscape, as it was originally used to describe someone who lived near a river crossing or a ford. By the early 17th century, the name was well-established in London, where families bearing this title were active participants in the city's growing commercial and social life. Records from 1620 show that individuals named Forth were settled in the capital during a time of significant transition for England. These early ancestors likely navigated the bustling streets and trade networks of London, contributing to the city's development as a global hub. While the name began as a simple way to identify a person's home, it evolved into a permanent family identifier that persisted through generations of urban life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ford
a shallow place in a river where one can cross
This name
Fortha topographic name for someone who lived near a river crossing
also spelled
Fourt
Fowrth
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
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
