Map of England showing where the Friars arms are recorded
The Friars arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Friars 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 Friars Family in England
The surname Friars is rooted in the social and religious landscape of medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive name for individuals associated with a monastic order. By the early 17th century, the family had established a clear presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Friars family were living within this northern hub during a time of significant urban change. Given York’s status as a major center for trade and administration, these early family members were likely integrated into the local economy as craftsmen or merchants. Their residency in such a prominent city suggests that they were settled members of the community who contributed to the daily life and growth of the region during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
frere
Old French term for a brother or a member of a religious order.
This name
FriarsAn occupational name for someone who worked for a friary or a nickname for a pious person.
also spelled
Ferrers
Farrars
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. York Diocesan Probate Records
Palliser, D.M. Tudor York. 1979
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horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
