A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fullwood family of England.
Reg. 2406 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a chev. betw. three mullets ar”
DerbyMiddleton · Derby, c. 1579
Where the Fullwood Arms Were Recorded
Derby
Map of England showing where the Fullwood arms are recorded
The Fullwood arms were recorded in Derby, c. 1579.
Derbyshire had lead mines in its hills and good grazing in its valleys. Both made steady money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names into the heraldic records.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Fullwood 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 Derby.
Origin & History of the Fullwood Family in England
The surname Fullwood is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or personal trait. The name is derived from the Old English words "full," meaning foul or dirty, and "wudu," meaning wood, suggesting that the original family lived near a dense or swampy forest. While the name has roots in various parts of England, records confirm that members of the Fullwood family were well-established in Derby by 1579. During this period, the family was likely involved in the local trade and agricultural life of the town. As the family grew, they became a recognized part of the community, leaving behind traces in parish registers and local legal documents that help historians map their movement through the English Midlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ful-wudu
Old English for foul or dirty wood and forest.
This name
FullwoodRefers to a person who lived near a dark, dense, or marshy woodland area.
also spelled
Fullwode
Related arms
Eliothrecorded with Fullwood, same area
Everardrecorded with Fullwood, same area
Gellrecorded with Fullwood, same area
Kaynesrecorded with Fullwood, same area
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, 1958
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Derbyshire Record Office, Derby All Saints Parish Registers, 1579
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
