A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Frances family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1540 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. a chev. engr. betw. three mullets pierced gu”
SomersetSomerset, c. 1620
Where the Frances Arms Were Recorded
Somerset
Map of England showing where the Frances arms are recorded
The Frances arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1620.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Frances 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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Frances Family in England
The surname Frances traces its roots back to the medieval period, originating as a descriptive name used to identify someone who had traveled from France or had strong cultural ties to that country. By the early 17th century, the name had become firmly established within the English landscape, with records confirming that members of the family were living in the county of Somerset by 1620. During this era, families with this name were often part of the growing class of landowners and tenant farmers who helped shape the rural economy of the West Country. As the name spread across England, it evolved from a simple nickname into a formal hereditary surname passed down through generations. This transition reflects the broader social changes of the time, as local communities began to rely on fixed family names to manage legal documents, property ownership, and parish registrations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. a chev. betw. three eagles displ. gu”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Frances Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Frances arms are recorded
The Frances arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Frances arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Frances Family in Scotland
The surname Frances finds its roots in the Latin term Franciscus, which originally identified someone from the land of the Franks or a person of French origin. By the time the name became established in Scotland, it often served as a way to distinguish individuals who had moved across the border or maintained connections to continental Europe. Records confirm that members of the Frances family were living in Edinburgh by 1748, a period when the city was undergoing a massive transformation known as the Scottish Enlightenment. During this era, families with this name were part of a growing urban population that participated in the intellectual and professional life of Scotland’s capital. As the name took hold in local communities, it evolved from a descriptive label into a stable family identity that was passed down through generations of Scottish residents.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Franciscus
A Latin name meaning a member of the Frankish tribe.
This name
FrancesDerived from the Latin term for a free man or a Frenchman.
also spelled
Francies
Francys
Related arms
Franciesvariant spelling
Francisvariant spelling
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Somerset Archives, Quarter Sessions 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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
