A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Franch family of England.
Reg. 1872 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 cross triparted sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Franch Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Franch arms are recorded
The Franch 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 Franch 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 Franch Family in England
The family name Franch holds a distinct place in the history of Northern England, with records confirming that family members were established in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families with this surname were often integrated into the local merchant and artisan classes. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive label, serving to identify individuals who had connections to France or who were perceived as having foreign origins by their neighbors. As these early settlers put down roots in the walled city, they participated in the daily rhythms of urban life, contributing to the local economy and the social fabric of the region. Over time, the family became a part of the enduring history of Yorkshire, leaving behind traces of their presence in parish registers and local legal documents that highlight their steady integration into English society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Francus
A member of the Frankish tribe or a free man.
This name
FranchAn ethnic or status-based surname denoting someone from France or a person of free status.
also spelled
Franchee
Franchie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Archive: Parish Registers of St. Michael le Belfrey, York
Collins, Francis, Register of the Freemen of the City of York from the City Records, 1897
Raine, Angelo, Mediaeval York: A Topographical Survey Based on Original Sources, 1955
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
