A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Forward family of England.
Reg. 9136 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a chev. betw. three crosses pattée ar”
LancasterLancaster, c. 1620
Where the Forward Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Forward arms are recorded
The Forward arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Forward 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Forward Family in England
The surname Forward is an ancient English name that likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who lived at the front of a settlement or perhaps someone known for their bold and eager personality. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of Lancaster. Records indicate that members of the Forward family were living in this region by 1620, placing them among the families who witnessed the profound social and religious shifts of the Stuart period. As residents of a prominent northern town, these early individuals were likely involved in the local trade and civic life that defined Lancaster during the early modern era. Their presence in such a significant hub suggests that the family was well-integrated into the local community long before the waves of migration that would eventually spread the name across the globe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Forthweard
Old English words meaning forward or ahead and guardian or protector.
This name
ForwardA topographic or occupational name for someone who lived near a forward path or acted as a guide.
also spelled
Forword
Forwade
Foreward
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Farrer, William and Brownbill, John, A History of the County of Lancaster, 1906
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
