A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Frayser family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1827 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cinquefoilHope and joy
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, az. a fess betw. three frases ar.; 2nd and 3rd, ar. three antique crowns gu”
InvernessPhilip Fraser · Inverness, c. 1692
Where the Frayser Arms Were Recorded
Inverness
Map of Scotland showing where the Frayser arms are recorded
The Frayser arms were recorded in Inverness, c. 1692.
Inverness was the largest Highland county, clan country of glens and long sea lochs. Chiefs recorded arms to mark the head of a family, and cadet branches recorded their own to show their place.
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.
Mary II of England
Sovereign of the period
Mary II of England
1689–1694
Reigning in Scotland when the Frayser 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 Inverness.
Origin & History of the Frayser Family in Scotland
The family name Frayser, often spelled as Fraser in historical records, has deep roots in the rugged landscape of the Scottish Highlands. By the year 1692, members of the family were well-established in the town of Inverness, which served as a vital hub for trade and political life in the north of Scotland. During this period, the region was defined by complex clan loyalties and the transition from traditional Highland customs to a more integrated national identity. Families like the Fraysers in Inverness were often involved in local governance and the management of land, playing a quiet but essential role in the social fabric of the town. Their presence in this area reflects a long history of settlement in the north, where they navigated the challenges of a changing Scotland while maintaining their connections to the local community.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, az. a bend engr. betw. three frases ar.; 2nd and 3rd, gu. three antique crowns or”
Englandc. 1798
Where the Frayser Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Frayser arms are recorded
The Frayser arms were recorded in England, c. 1798.
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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in Scotland when the Frayser 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 Frayser Family in England
The family name Frayser is rooted in the northern regions of England, where it emerged as a variation of older surnames linked to the medieval era. By the late eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the historic city of York. During this period, York functioned as a vital commercial and social hub, and families like the Fraysers often lived near the city’s ancient stone walls or within the bustling parish districts. The name likely evolved through local dialects as people moved between rural villages and the growing urban center of York. Because the name appears in official documents from 1798, we know that these individuals were active participants in the civic life of the city during a time of significant industrial and social change in Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fraise
Old French word for strawberry
This name
FrayserDerived from a nickname for someone who grew or sold strawberries or lived near a strawberry patch.
also spelled
Frasier
Frazer
Frayser
Fraysier
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bain, Robert, The Clans and Tartans of Scotland, 1938
Grant, I.F., Highland Folk Ways, 1961
National Records of Scotland, Inverness Burgh Court Books, B41/22
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cinquefoilHope and joy
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cinquefoilHope and joy
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
