Map of Netherlands showing where the Fox arms are recorded
The Fox arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1658.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry 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
Friesland
First recorded
1658
Granting Authority for the Fox Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Fox Family in Netherlands
The family name Fox, often appearing as Vos in the Dutch language, carries a history deeply rooted in the landscape and culture of the northern provinces. By the year 1658, records confirm that members of this family were established in the region of Friesland. In this coastal area, surnames were frequently derived from the physical traits or the clever nature of an ancestor, and the fox was a common symbol of wit and survival in local folklore. Because Friesland maintained a distinct legal and social identity separate from the rest of the Netherlands, families living there often kept strong ties to their specific village communities. These early ancestors likely worked as farmers or tradespeople who navigated the unique water-based geography of the Frisian countryside. Over time, as families moved or interacted with international traders, the name occasionally shifted from the traditional Dutch spelling to the English version, Fox, reflecting the fluid movement of people across the North Sea.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Purple (Purpure)Means: Royal majesty
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. a chev. erminois betw. three lions' heads erased or, on a chief barry nebulée ar. and purp. a pale az. charged with a pelican of the third, all within a border of the same charged with ten hurts”
NorthamptonChacombe · Northampton, c. 1574
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Map of England showing where the Fox arms are recorded
The Fox arms were recorded in Northampton, c. 1574.
Northamptonshire was grazing and hunting country in the middle of England, thick with manor houses. Its families were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Netherlands when the Fox 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 Northampton.
Origin & History of the Fox Family in England
The surname Fox is a classic example of an English occupational or descriptive name that emerged during the Middle Ages. In early English society, people often received nicknames based on their physical traits or personality, and someone known for being clever, quick, or perhaps having red hair might be called a fox. By the time the name appeared in the official records of Northampton in 1574, it had already become a well-established hereditary surname passed down through generations. Families with this name were typically part of the common working class, often living in rural areas where they worked as farmers or tradespeople. Because the fox was a common animal in the English countryside, the name became popular across many different regions of the country at the same time. This means that many people named Fox are not necessarily related to one another by blood, but rather share a name that reflects the close connection between early English villagers and the natural world around them.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a sceptre in bend betw. two regal crowns, and a chief or”
LongfordFox Hall · Longford, c. 1618
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Map of Ireland showing where the Fox arms are recorded
The Fox arms were recorded in Longford, c. 1618.
Longford was small midland Irish country of bog and grazing. Its landed families were few but held their ground for centuries, and long holding fills a register.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Netherlands when the Fox 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 Longford.
Origin & History of the Fox Family in Ireland
The history of the Fox family in Ireland is deeply rooted in the midlands, particularly within County Longford. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family were well established in this region, often serving as prominent landowners and local leaders. The name itself is an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname *Sionnach*, which translates directly to fox. This name was likely used as a nickname to describe a person who was known for their cleverness or quick thinking. In the context of 1618, records show that the family held significant influence in Longford, navigating the complex political changes of the time as the English administration expanded its control over Irish territories. These early ancestors were part of a shifting social landscape where traditional Gaelic identities began to blend with the administrative structures of the period. Their presence in the region during this time highlights how families adapted to maintain their status and landholdings during a century of intense transition.
Fox Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Vos
A carnivorous mammal of the canine family.
This name
FoxA nickname for a clever or cunning person.
also spelled
Foxa
Foxxe
Focks
Related arms
Caronsame arms
Buxtonrecorded with Fox, same area
Carberyrecorded with Fox, same area
Dowdallrecorded with Fox, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Doop-, trouw-, begraaf- en lidmatenregisters (DTB)
P.J. Meertens, De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1959
Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie, Nederlandse Familienamen Databank
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
foxWit and wisdom in defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
foxWit and wisdom in defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
sceptreRoyal authority and justice
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
