Map of England showing where the Beare arms are recorded
The Beare arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1586.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Beare 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Beare Family in England
The surname Beare is rooted in the Old English word "bearu," which translates to a grove or a wood. Families who adopted this name often lived near a prominent wooded area or a clearing in the forest. By the late 16th century, the name was firmly established in the county of Kent, where records confirm members of the family were living in 1586. During this period, families in Kent were frequently involved in local agriculture and trade, benefiting from the region's proximity to London and the busy coastal ports. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of the English countryside, with their name serving as a lasting connection to the landscape they inhabited.
Beare Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
bera
An Old English or Germanic word meaning a bear.
This name
BeareA topographic name for someone who lived near a grove or woodland clearing.
also spelled
Beer
Bere
Related arms
Barevariant spelling
Beervariant spelling
Beerevariant spelling
Berevariant spelling
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
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Wills, 1586
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
