A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Are family of England.
Reg. 1890 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. on a cross ar. five escallops gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Are Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Are arms are recorded
The Are 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 Are 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 Are Family in England
The family name Are carries a history rooted in the northern landscape of England, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of York by 1620. During the early seventeenth century, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, providing a stable environment for families to establish roots and pursue various crafts or mercantile roles. The name itself is thought to have evolved from local linguistic roots, potentially serving as a topographical identifier for those who lived near specific landmarks or within defined community boundaries. As the family became integrated into the social fabric of York, they participated in the daily life of a growing urban center, contributing to the local economy and the development of the region. This early presence in such a significant historical city suggests that the family was well-positioned to witness and adapt to the shifting political and social tides of the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ara
Latin word meaning altar or a place of sacrifice.
This name
AreA habitational name derived from a place in France or a topographical reference to an altar.
also spelled
Aire
Ayer
Aere
Related arms
Airevariant spelling
Ayervariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Collins, Francis, Register of the Freemen of the City of York, 1897
York City Archives, York House Books, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
