Map of England showing where the Fraire arms are recorded
The Fraire 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 Fraire 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 Fraire Family in England
The surname Fraire is deeply rooted in European history, with linguistic origins that trace back to the Old French word for brother. This term was often used as a descriptive nickname or a title for members of religious orders, eventually becoming a permanent family name as surnames became standard across the continent. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a presence in the historic city of York, England. Their arrival in this region during the year 1620 suggests they were part of the social and economic shifts occurring in Northern England at the time. As residents of a major trade and religious hub, these early family members likely participated in the local craft or merchant guilds that defined York’s urban life during the Stuart period. Their transition from a descriptive title to a fixed family identity reflects the broader evolution of naming customs during this era of social change.
Fraire Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Frater
Latin word meaning brother or member of a religious order.
This name
FraireA nickname for a brother or a term used for a member of a monastic community.
also spelled
Fryer
Freer
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
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I
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paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
