A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gar family of Ireland.
Reg. 7640 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
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. a chev. betw. three stags' head cabossed sa”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Gar Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Gar arms are recorded
The Gar arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Gar arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Gar Family in Ireland
The family name Gar has roots that trace back to the bustling urban landscape of seventeenth-century Dublin. By 1645, members of the family were already established residents in the city, a time when Dublin was undergoing significant social and political shifts due to the ongoing conflicts of the Irish Confederate Wars. During this period, the name likely functioned as a distinct identifier within the city’s growing merchant and artisan classes. As the family navigated the challenges of life in a fortified colonial port, they became part of the complex tapestry of Dublin’s population. Over time, the name persisted through generations, reflecting the resilience of families who lived through the transformation of Ireland from a medieval society into a modern administrative center.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gearr
An Old Irish adjective meaning short or clipped.
This name
GarA descriptive nickname for a person of short stature or a brief temperament.
also spelled
Garre
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Royal Irish Academy, Census of Ireland, circa 1659, 1939
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
