A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Froome family of England.
Reg. 5527 · 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 Froome Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Froome arms are recorded
The Froome 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 Froome 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 Froome Family in England
The surname Froome is rooted in the geography of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for people who lived near the River Frome. The name itself is derived from the Old English word "frum," which translates to fair, fine, or brisk. By the early 17th century, the family had established a presence in the historic city of York, as evidenced by records from 1620. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life, and families like the Froomes were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. As the name moved through different regions, spelling variations became common due to the phonetic way clerks recorded names in parish registers. This transition from a descriptive geographic label to a settled family name reflects the broader patterns of social movement and record-keeping in early modern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Frome
Derived from the Old English word for fair or fine.
This name
FroomeA topographic name for someone who lived near the River Frome in England.
also spelled
Froome
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, 1991
York Minster Library and Archives, Parish Registers of York, 1620
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
