A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Callard family of England.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Gyronny of six ar. and sa”
The Callard 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.
Reigning in England when the Callard arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Callard is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive name, likely derived from the Old French word "calard," which was used to describe someone with a bald head or a shaved crown. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 indicate that members of the Callard family were active participants in the local community during this period of significant social and religious change in Northern England. As York was a major hub for trade and administration, families living there often held roles in local crafts or commerce. Over time, the name spread from these northern roots to other parts of the country, evolving in spelling as it was recorded by various clerks and officials. This transition from a simple nickname to a recognized family name reflects the broader patterns of how surnames became permanent fixtures of identity in English society.
Derived from the Old French word caler meaning to be silent.
