A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Froud family of England.
Reg. 1891 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. three lions ramp. or, ducally crowned gu. a bordure erm”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Froud Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Froud arms are recorded
The Froud 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 Froud 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 Froud Family in England
The surname Froud is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Middle English word "froud," which meant wise or prudent. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Froud family were living and working within this northern hub, which was a center for trade and religious life at the time. As the family settled into the local community, they likely participated in the traditional industries of the region, such as weaving or mercantile trade. Over the following generations, the name spread from these urban roots into the surrounding countryside, gradually becoming a fixture of the local population through births, marriages, and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
frod
Old Norse word meaning wise or prudent.
This name
FroudA surname originating from a nickname describing a person who is wise or knowledgeable.
also spelled
Frowd
Frowde
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
