A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Frier family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5197 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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. a chev. ar. betw. three dolphins embowed or, a canton erm”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Frier Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Frier arms are recorded
The Frier 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 Frier 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 Frier Family in England
The surname Frier has deep roots in the social and religious landscape of medieval England. The name is occupational in origin, derived from the Middle English word "frere," which referred to a member of a mendicant religious order. During the Middle Ages, individuals were often given this name as a nickname or to denote their association with a local friary. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Frier family were active participants in the civic and economic life of this northern hub. At that time, York was a center for trade and administration, and families like the Friers often held roles that connected them to the guilds or the local parish administration. Their presence in such a prominent city suggests that they were well-integrated into the fabric of English society long before the name began to spread more widely across the country.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a chev. betw. three dolphins naiant ar”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Frier Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Frier arms are recorded
The Frier arms were recorded in Scotland, 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 Frier 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 Frier Family in Scotland
The surname Frier has deep roots in the social landscape of Scotland, where it likely originated as a descriptive name for someone who worked for or lived near a religious house. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the bustling capital of Edinburgh. Records from 1748 confirm their presence in the city during a time of significant urban growth and industrial change. During this era, families with this name were often integrated into the professional and merchant classes that helped define the city's character. As the Scottish Enlightenment began to flourish, members of the Frier family participated in the daily life of a society that was rapidly modernizing its legal and educational systems. Their history in Edinburgh reflects the broader story of Scottish families who moved from rural origins to become active participants in the development of one of Europe's most influential intellectual hubs.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Frere
Old French word meaning brother or member of a religious order.
This name
FrierAn occupational surname for a friar or a nickname for someone with a brotherly demeanor.
also spelled
Fryer
Fryar
Freer
Related arms
Freervariant spelling
Fryervariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, Lay Subsidy Rolls for the County of York
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
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
