Map of England showing where the Redfern arms are recorded
The Redfern 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 Redfern 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 Redfern Family in England
The name Redfern is a topographical surname that originated in the north of England, specifically derived from the Old English words "read," meaning red, and "fearn," meaning fern. It likely described a family who lived near a patch of bracken or a hillside covered in reddish-colored ferns. By the early 17th century, the family had established a firm presence in the city of York, where records confirm their residence by 1620. During this period, families with this name were often integrated into the local trade and craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. As they moved through the region, the name evolved from a simple description of the landscape into a permanent family identifier that linked these early ancestors to the rugged terrain of the Yorkshire countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
reade fearn
Old English for red fern or bracken plant.
This name
RedfernRefers to a person who lived near a patch of red-colored ferns or bracken.
also spelled
Redfearn
Redfarn
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
