Foulis Coat of Arms Record & History

A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Foulis family lines. Documented in 3 countries.

Reg. 2147 · Britain, D–F

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Foulis Arms Were Recorded

Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Foulis arms are recorded

The Foulis arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1661.

Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.

Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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.

Region
Kent
First recorded
1661

Granting Authority for the Foulis Arms

Arms of College of Arms
College of Arms Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Authority

College of Arms

1484-present

The body that granted and recorded arms in Britain in this period.

Portrait of Charles II of England
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period

Charles II of England

1660–1685

Reigning in Britain when the Foulis arms are first recorded.

How Arms Worked in Britain

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 Britain.

Origin & History of the Foulis Family in Britain

The surname Foulis is deeply connected to the history of the British Isles, with its roots tracing back to early settlements in Scotland before spreading southward into England. While the name is often associated with the lands of Foulis in Perthshire, by the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent. Records from 1661 confirm that individuals bearing this name were active in the region during a time of significant political and social transition following the restoration of the monarchy. These early settlers likely moved as part of the broader migration patterns of the era, seeking new opportunities in the agricultural and administrative hubs of southern England. The family name evolved alongside these movements, reflecting the transition of a lineage from its northern origins to its integration into the local communities of Kent.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Foulis Arms Were Recorded

Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Foulis arms are recorded

The Foulis arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1634.

Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.

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.

Region
Edinburgh
Town
Colinton
First recorded
1634

Granting Authority for the Foulis Arms

Arms of Court of the Lord Lyon
Court of the Lord Lyon Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Authority

Court of the Lord Lyon

c. 1318-present

The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.

Portrait of Charles I of England
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period

Charles I of England

1625–1649

Reigning in Britain when the Foulis 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 Edinburgh.

Origin & History of the Foulis Family in Scotland

The Foulis family name has deep roots in the history of Scotland, appearing in official records as early as the seventeenth century. By 1634, members of the family were well-established in Edinburgh, where they participated in the professional and social life of the capital city. The name itself is thought to be territorial in origin, likely derived from lands in Perthshire or East Lothian, which was a common way for families to identify themselves during the Middle Ages. As the family grew, they became closely linked to the legal and administrative circles of Scotland, often serving in roles that required them to document the shifting political landscape of the time. Their presence in Edinburgh during the 1630s suggests that they were part of the rising class of merchants and officials who helped shape the city during a period of significant national change. Through these early connections, the Foulis name became a recognized part of the Scottish historical narrative, reflecting the broader movement of families from rural estates into the growing urban centers of the country.

Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details

Where the Foulis Arms Were Recorded

York
Map of England showing where the Foulis arms are recorded

The Foulis arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.

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.

Region
York
Town
Ingleby Manor
First recorded
1620

Granting Authority for the Foulis Arms

Arms of College of Arms
College of Arms Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Authority

College of Arms

1484-present

The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.

Portrait of James VI and I
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period

James VI and I

1603–1625

Reigning in Britain when the Foulis 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 York.

Origin & History of the Foulis Family in England

The Foulis family name has deep roots that connect the northern regions of England to the broader history of the British Isles. While the name is often associated with Scottish origins, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the city of York by 1620. During this period, the family became deeply integrated into the local governance and social life of Yorkshire. They were known for their involvement in public service and their ability to rise within the ranks of the English gentry. By settling in York, the family transitioned from their earlier ancestral ties to become influential figures in the political and economic landscape of northern England. Their presence in the city during the early seventeenth century highlights a time when families frequently moved across borders to seek new opportunities in trade and administration.

Related Branches & Arms

Root word
fol

Old French term for a foolish or mad person.

This name
FoulisA locational surname derived from the Scottish place name Foulis, meaning leaves or foliage.
also spelled
Fouli
Fouliss
Fouly
Folee
Fowles
Related arms
Fowlesvariant spelling
Hamiltonrecorded with Foulis, same area
Jackrecorded with Foulis, same area
Whitelawrecorded with Foulis, same area

Documented Sources

J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87

Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946

National Archives of the United Kingdom. State Papers Domestic, Charles II. Series SP 29

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The Foulis arms on the framed, black wood
Framed, black wood 11 × 14 in, printed on heavy archival paper, framed in black wood and ready to hang.
$119.00
Free shipping
The Foulis arms on the set of 4 mugs
Set of 4 mugs Four matching 11 oz white ceramic mugs, dishwasher safe, the arms printed on each.
$49.99
Free shipping
The Foulis arms on the family cap - unisex
Family cap - unisex Walnut bill, cream crown, one size fits all. The arms on the front.
$39.99
Free shipping
The Foulis coat of arms
Digital archive pack Coat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
The Foulis arms on the framed, black wood
Framed, black wood 11 × 14 in, printed on heavy archival paper, framed in black wood and ready to hang.
$119.00
Free shipping
The Foulis arms on the set of 4 mugs
Set of 4 mugs Four matching 11 oz white ceramic mugs, dishwasher safe, the arms printed on each.
$49.99
Free shipping
The Foulis arms on the family cap - unisex
Family cap - unisex Walnut bill, cream crown, one size fits all. The arms on the front.
$39.99
Free shipping
The Foulis coat of arms
Digital archive pack Coat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.