A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Frie family of England.
Reg. 4492 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
horseReadiness to serve king and country
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Vert a fleur-de-lis or, betw. three horses ar. bridled of the second”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Frie Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Frie arms are recorded
The Frie 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 Frie 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 Frie Family in England
The family name Frie has deep roots in the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Fries were often involved in the local merchant guilds or skilled crafts that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely evolved from older Germanic or Old English terms related to the concept of being free or holding a specific social status. As the family established their lives in York, they became part of the long tradition of northern English residents who helped shape the city’s growth during the seventeenth century. By settling in such a prominent location, the early Frie family members participated in the daily life of a city that served as a major hub for northern England, leaving a lasting mark on the regional history of the area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Freo
Old English word meaning free or exempt from servitude.
This name
FrieA status-based surname denoting a person who was not a serf or bondman.
also spelled
Fry
Frye
Free
Fris
Related arms
Freevariant spelling
Fris, or Frisevariant spelling
Fryvariant spelling
Fryevariant spelling
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, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Surtees Society, The Publications of the Surtees Society, 1835
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
horseReadiness to serve king and country
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
horseReadiness to serve king and country
