A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fruen family of England.
Reg. 6254 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Erm. three bars az. out of the uppermost a lion issuant sa”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Fruen Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Fruen arms are recorded
The Fruen arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Fruen 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 Fruen Family in England
The family name Fruen has roots that trace back to the bustling streets of seventeenth-century London. By 1620, records indicate that members of the family were already established residents within the city. During this period, London was a major center for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Fruens were often part of the growing urban middle class. The name itself is thought to derive from Middle English terms related to the word "frowe," which historically referred to a woman or a lady. Over time, this name became a fixed surname as families began to adopt permanent identifiers for legal and tax purposes. Living in London during the early 1600s meant that these ancestors likely witnessed a time of great social change, including the expansion of the British Empire and the rise of the merchant class. Their presence in the city archives during this era suggests they were active participants in the daily life and commerce of a rapidly evolving capital.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Freo
Old English word meaning free or noble.
This name
FruenA locative or descriptive surname referring to a free man or a person of noble status.
also spelled
Fruin
Fruyn
Frewen
Frewin
Related arms
Frewenvariant spelling
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
London Metropolitan Archives, Church of England Parish Registers, 1538–1812
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
