A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fowkes family of Ireland.
Reg. 6622 · Irish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a fleur-de-lis or, betw. three escallops ar”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Fowkes Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Fowkes arms are recorded
The Fowkes arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Fowkes arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Fowkes Family in Ireland
The surname Fowkes is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify someone as the son or descendant of a person named Fulk. The name Fulk itself comes from ancient Germanic roots and translates to mean people or folk. By the time the name became established in Ireland, it had evolved into various spellings including Fowkes, Fawkes, and Foulkes. Records confirm that members of the Fowkes family were living in Dublin by 1645, a period defined by significant political and social upheaval in Ireland. During the seventeenth century, families with this name were often involved in the professional and administrative life of the city. As the family settled into Dublin society, they became part of the growing urban population that helped shape the capital during a time of great historical transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fulco
A Germanic name derived from the word for folk or people.
This name
FowkesA patronymic surname meaning son of the folk-leader or son of Fulk.
also spelled
Foulkes
Foulke
Related arms
Folkesvariant spelling
Foulkevariant spelling
Foulkesvariant spelling
Foulksvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
