A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Franklyn family of England.
Reg. 4637 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. on a bend betw. two dolphins or, three lions' heads erased of the first (another, tinctures reversed)”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Franklyn Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Franklyn arms are recorded
The Franklyn arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Franklyn 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Franklyn Family in England
The surname Franklyn originates from the Middle English term frankeleyn, which historically described a free landowner who was not of noble birth but held a significant social standing. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent. During this period, individuals bearing the name often worked as prosperous farmers or local officials who managed land independently of the feudal system. Their presence in Kent by 1620 suggests that the family was well-integrated into the local agricultural economy of southeastern England. As members of the rising middle class, these early Franklyns played a quiet but essential role in the development of rural communities before many of their descendants eventually sought new opportunities abroad.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Francus
A Germanic tribal name meaning free man.
This name
FranklynA person of free status who held land not subject to feudal obligations.
also spelled
Franklin
Frankelin
Frankelen
Related arms
Francklinvariant spelling
Franklinvariant spelling
Asseyrecorded with Franklyn, same area
Carrrecorded with Franklyn, 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 British Surnames, 1958
Hasted, Edward, The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent, 1797
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Kent History and Library Centre, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury: 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
lionCourage, strength and royalty
