A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Farrar family of England.
Reg. 8098 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. on a bend engr. sa. three horseshoes of the first”
YorkHull · York, c. 1620
Where the Farrar Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Farrar arms are recorded
The Farrar arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Farrar 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 York.
Origin & History of the Farrar Family in England
The surname Farrar is rooted in the Old French word *ferrier*, which translates to a worker in iron or a blacksmith. During the medieval period, surnames often described a person’s trade, and this name likely identified a skilled craftsman who forged tools or horseshoes. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Farrar family were living there by 1620, placing them in a bustling urban center known for its strong guilds and trade networks. As these individuals moved through society, they helped carry the name from its occupational origins into the permanent historical record of Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ferrarius
Latin term meaning a worker in iron or a blacksmith.
This name
FarrarAn occupational surname for a blacksmith or someone who worked with iron.
also spelled
Farrer
Farrier
Farrow
Related arms
Farrervariant spelling
Farrowvariant spelling
Ferrarvariant spelling
Bucktonrecorded with Farrar, same area
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
