A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Foulkes family of England.
Reg. 6326 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. crusily fitchée or, a lion ramp. ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Foulkes Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Foulkes arms are recorded
The Foulkes arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
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.
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 Foulkes 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 Foulkes Family in England
The surname Foulkes is a patronymic name, which means it originated from the given name Fulk. This name was brought to England following the Norman Conquest and stems from the Germanic word *fulc*, meaning people or folk. By the time members of the family were documented in York in 1620, the name had become a stable hereditary surname used to identify specific lineages. During the seventeenth century, families in northern England often lived in close-knit communities where names were passed down through generations to maintain a sense of heritage. The presence of the Foulkes family in York during this period suggests they were part of the growing urban population of a city that served as a vital center for trade and administration in the north of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Folc
Old Germanic word meaning people or tribe.
This name
FoulkesDerived from the personal name Fulk, signifying a guardian or leader of the people.
also spelled
Fowkes
Fowke
Related arms
Ffolkesvariant spelling
Folkesvariant spelling
Foulksvariant spelling
Fowkevariant 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, 1997
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
