A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Foxcroft family of England.
Reg. 9837 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
foxWit and wisdom in defence
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 chev. betw. three foxes' heads erased or”
YorkHalifax · York, c. 1620
Where the Foxcroft Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Foxcroft arms are recorded
The Foxcroft 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.
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 Foxcroft 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 Foxcroft Family in England
The surname Foxcroft is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from Old English, combining the words "fox" and "croft," which refers to a small, enclosed field or farm. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family were likely farmers or landholders who lived near a clearing where foxes were commonly spotted. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Foxcroft family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and administration in Northern England, and the family likely played a role in the local economy or civic life of the region. As the family grew, they became deeply rooted in the social fabric of Yorkshire, leaving behind a legacy that links their name to the rural landscape of the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fox and croft
A wild canine and a small enclosed field or farm.
This name
FoxcroftA person who lived near a small field or farm frequented by foxes.
also spelled
Foxcraft
Foxcrafte
Related arms
Briggsrecorded with Foxcroft, same area
Montagurecorded with Foxcroft, same area
Waterhouserecorded with Foxcroft, same area
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
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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
foxWit and wisdom in defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
foxWit and wisdom in defence
