A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fryar family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6347 · 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 Fryar Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Fryar arms are recorded
The Fryar 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 Fryar 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 Fryar Family in England
The surname Fryar is an occupational name that emerged in medieval England, derived from the Middle English word *frere*, which refers to a member of a religious order or a friar. During the Middle Ages, surnames were often adopted to describe a person’s trade, social role, or connection to a local institution. By the time the name appears in the historical records of York in 1620, the family had likely been established in the region for generations. Living in a major northern hub like York suggests that early members of the family were integrated into the urban economy of the seventeenth century, a time when the city served as a vital center for trade and administration. While the name originated from a religious title, it eventually became a secular family name passed down through generations of citizens who helped shape the local community.
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 Fryar Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Fryar arms are recorded
The Fryar 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 Fryar 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 Fryar Family in Scotland
The family name Fryar has deep roots in the urban landscape of eighteenth-century Scotland, particularly within the bustling capital of Edinburgh. By 1748, records confirm that members of the Fryar family were well-established residents of the city, participating in the daily life of a nation undergoing significant social and economic shifts. The name itself is often linked to the Middle English word for a friar, suggesting that early ancestors may have been associated with religious orders or lived near monastic lands before the name became a permanent hereditary surname. As Edinburgh grew into a center of the Scottish Enlightenment, families like the Fryars were part of the expanding middle class that helped shape the city’s identity. Their presence in the capital during this era reflects a period of increased migration from rural areas to urban hubs, where individuals sought new opportunities in trade, craft, and professional life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
frere
Old French term meaning brother or member of a religious order.
This name
FryarAn occupational name for a friar or a nickname for someone resembling one.
also spelled
Fryer
Fryar
Freer
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
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
