A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Frear family of England.
Reg. 9827 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. on a chev. ar. betw. three dolphins or, as many castles of the first”
EnglandLondon, c. 1602
Where the Frear Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Frear arms are recorded
The Frear arms were recorded in London, c. 1602.
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 Frear 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 Frear Family in England
The surname Frear is a variation of the Middle English word "frere," which translates to brother. During the medieval period, this name was often used as a nickname for someone who acted like a monk or perhaps someone who worked for a religious order. By the time the family was documented in London in 1602, the name had become a stable hereditary surname passed down through generations. During the early seventeenth century, London was a bustling center of trade and social change. Families living in the city at this time were often involved in the merchant guilds or skilled crafts that defined the urban economy. As the name spread from its roots in religious terminology, it became a common identifier for families navigating the rapid growth of English society during the transition into the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Freyja
Old Norse name meaning the lady or noble woman.
This name
FrearA locational or occupational surname derived from a dweller near a stream or a friar.
also spelled
Freer
Freere
Related arms
Freervariant spelling
Freere, or Fryervariant spelling
Frerevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Kew, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384–1858
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
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
