Map of England showing where the Fowlkes arms are recorded
The Fowlkes arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Fowlkes 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Fowlkes Family in England
The Fowlkes family name is rooted in the Old English language and likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person with a clever or cunning nature, similar to the behavior of a fox. By the early 17th century, members of the family were established in the Norfolk region of England. Many individuals bearing this name were part of the wave of English settlers who looked toward the American colonies for new opportunities during the 1620s. These early pioneers were often farmers or skilled tradespeople who helped build the foundations of the first permanent settlements in Virginia. Their transition from Norfolk to the New World reflects the broader historical movement of families seeking to establish land ownership and stability in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Fowlkes Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Folk
Derived from the Old English word for people or common folk.
This name
FowlkesA patronymic or descriptive name referring to a descendant of someone known as Folk.
also spelled
Folks
Fowkes
Foulkes
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
Coldham, Peter Wilson, The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607–1660, 1987
The National Archives (UK), State Papers Domestic, James I, 1603–1625
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fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
