A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Freer family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5121 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. a chev. ar. betw. three dolphins naiant ppr”
WarwickStratford-upon-Avon · Warwick, c. 1620
Where the Freer Arms Were Recorded
Warwick
Map of England showing where the Freer arms are recorded
The Freer arms were recorded in Warwick, c. 1620.
Warwickshire lay in the middle of England, and its landed families were spread evenly across it rather than gathered in one corner. A great many held a single manor each, and each of those holdings brought its own claim to 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 Freer 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 Warwick.
Origin & History of the Freer Family in England
The surname Freer finds its roots in the social and linguistic landscape of medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive name for a person who was free or perhaps someone associated with a religious order. By the early seventeenth century, the name had established a firm presence in the town of Warwick, where records confirm that members of the family were living by 1620. During this period, Warwick was a significant regional center, and families like the Freers were often integrated into the local economy as tradespeople or landowners. The name itself is thought to derive from the Middle English word "frere," which was commonly used to describe a brother or a friar. As the family settled into the Warwickshire countryside, they became part of the long tradition of English surnames that evolved from simple nicknames into permanent family identifiers. This transition reflects the broader movement of English society toward more formal record-keeping and stable family lineages during the late Renaissance.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 saltire betw. in chief a mullet and in base a martlet az”
ScotlandGeorge Freer, c. 1748
Where the Freer Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Freer arms are recorded
The Freer arms were recorded in George Freer, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Freer 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 Scotland.
Origin & History of the Freer Family in Scotland
The surname Freer has deep roots in the historical landscape of Scotland, where it emerged as a name often associated with those who held a status of independence or freedom. While the name appears in various regions, the family established a notable presence in Edinburgh by 1748, a time when the city was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth. During this period, individuals bearing the name were often integrated into the professional and civic life of the capital, working as merchants and tradesmen who helped shape the local economy. The name itself is thought to be linked to the Middle English word for a free man, suggesting that the earliest ancestors were likely individuals who were not bound to the feudal service of a local lord. By settling in Edinburgh, the Freer family became part of a vibrant urban community that was transitioning into the Scottish Enlightenment, marking their place in the social fabric of the nation during a time of significant cultural change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
freo
Old English term meaning free or exempt from servitude.
This name
FreerA status-based surname denoting a person who was born free rather than a serf or bondman.
also spelled
Frear
Freare
Frere
Related arms
Frearvariant spelling
Frerevariant spelling
Friervariant spelling
Frierevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Warwickshire County Record Office, Quarter Sessions 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
