A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Frankland family of England.
Reg. 8835 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a dolphin embowed or, on a chief of the second a bird of the first collared ar. betw. two saltires couped gu”
HertfordRye · Hertford, c. 1568
Where the Frankland Arms Were Recorded
Hertford
Map of England showing where the Frankland arms are recorded
The Frankland arms were recorded in Hertford, c. 1568.
Hertfordshire lay just north of London and filled with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate within a day's ride was the usual next step, and an estate brought arms with it.
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 England when the Frankland 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 Hertford.
Origin & History of the Frankland Family in England
The surname Frankland is a locative name that originally identified people who lived on land held by a "franklin," which was a term for a free landowner who was not of noble birth. By the mid-sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the English town of Hertford. Records show that members of the Frankland family were living in this area as early as 1568, where they likely participated in the local trade and agricultural life of the region. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social fabric of Hertfordshire, often appearing in local parish registers and legal documents that tracked property ownership. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who transitioned from working the land to becoming established members of the local community during the Tudor period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Francus
A Germanic tribe member or a free man.
This name
FranklandRefers to a person who lived in a land owned by free men.
also spelled
Frankeland
Frankelan
Related arms
Birchetrecorded with Frankland, same area
Dunyngrecorded with Frankland, same area
Hambertrecorded with Frankland, same area
Lambrecorded with Frankland, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies, Hertford St Andrew Parish Registers, 1568
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
