A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the From family of England.
Reg. 8717 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. on a fesse betw. three griffins segreant or, a cross crosslet gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the From Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the From arms are recorded
The From 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 From 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 From Family in England
The surname From is a name with deep roots in Northern England, particularly within the city of York. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established residents of York by 1620, placing them in the city during a time of significant social and economic change. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term or a nickname, possibly derived from the Old English or Old Norse words that suggest a person who was forward-thinking, bold, or physically active. In the seventeenth century, families in York were often involved in the city’s bustling trade guilds and local governance, meaning the early From family members were likely integrated into the professional life of this historic walled city. Over the following centuries, the family name persisted in the region, reflecting the steady migration and local development patterns common to families who built their lives in the north of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
frum
Old English word meaning wise, prudent, or forward-moving.
This name
FromA topographical name for someone who lived near a specific location or a descriptive term for a forward-thinking person.
also spelled
Froome
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York. Archbishop of York’s Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of St. Martin-le-Grand, Coney Street
Palliser, D. M. Tudor York. 1979
Raine, Angelo. Medieval York: A Topographical Survey Based on Original Sources. 1955
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
