Map of England showing where the Fricker arms are recorded
The Fricker arms were recorded in Durham, c. 1575.
Durham was governed by its bishop rather than the crown for most of its history, with its own courts and its own landed class. That separate world produced a tight group of families, nearly all of whom held 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Fricker 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 Durham.
Origin & History of the Fricker Family in England
The surname Fricker is primarily rooted in the linguistic traditions of Germanic and English regions, often functioning as an occupational or descriptive name. In the context of early English history, the presence of the Fricker family in Durham by 1575 suggests they were part of a period of significant social and economic transition in Northern England. During the late sixteenth century, families in this region were frequently involved in the burgeoning coal mining industry or local agricultural trade, which helped establish their roots within the community. The name itself likely evolved from older terms related to trade or specific personal traits, reflecting how surnames were commonly adopted as populations grew and moved into urban centers. By settling in Durham, early members of the Fricker family became part of a historical landscape defined by the influence of the local cathedral and the evolving administrative structures of the Elizabethan era.
Fricker Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Frick
A Middle High German term for a bold or brisk person.
This name
FrickerAn occupational or descriptive name for someone who was lively, bold, or quick.
also spelled
Forser
Forsere
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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Durham County Record Office, Durham Diocesan Records, 1575
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
