A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Algar family of England.
Reg. 7783 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, an eagle displ. sa. membered gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Algar Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Algar arms are recorded
The Algar 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 Algar 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 Algar Family in England
The family name Algar originates from the Old English personal name Aethelgar, which translates to noble spear. This name was common in Anglo-Saxon England and remained in use long after the Norman Conquest. 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 Algar family were living and working within this northern hub during a time of significant social and economic change in England. As residents of York, these early ancestors likely participated in the vibrant trade and civic life of a city that served as a major center for commerce and administration. Over the following centuries, the name evolved through various spellings, yet it retained its connection to these early roots in the north of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ælfgar
Old English elements meaning elf and spear.
This name
AlgarAn ancient Anglo-Saxon personal name signifying an elf spear or magical spear.
also spelled
Alger
Algor
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York, Archbishop of York’s Diocesan Records
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eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
