A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Garden family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8730 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. two bars sa. a label gu”
CambridgeCambridge, c. 1620
Where the Garden Arms Were Recorded
Cambridge
Map of England showing where the Garden arms are recorded
The Garden arms were recorded in Cambridge, c. 1620.
Cambridgeshire was flat, rich farming country with the university at its centre. Fen drainage made new land and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
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 Garden 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 Cambridge.
Origin & History of the Garden Family in England
The surname Garden emerged in England as a locative name, which means it was originally used to describe someone who lived near a garden or worked as a gardener. During the medieval period, surnames often identified a person by their trade or their immediate surroundings, and this name likely identified families living near the enclosed vegetable or flower plots that were common in English villages. By the early seventeenth century, the name had become well-established in various regions, including the university town of Cambridge. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Garden family were active participants in the social and economic life of that city. These early settlers were part of a growing class of tradespeople and residents who helped shape the local community before many families began to migrate further across the globe.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
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 boar's head erased sa. armed or”
ForfarForfar, c. 1748
Where the Garden Arms Were Recorded
Forfar
Map of Scotland showing where the Garden arms are recorded
The Garden arms were recorded in Forfar, c. 1748.
Forfar, now called Angus, was farming country on Scotland's east coast between the hills and the sea. Its landed families were long-settled, and long settlement is exactly what fills a register 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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Garden arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Forfar.
Origin & History of the Garden Family in Scotland
The surname Garden is deeply rooted in the landscape of northeastern Scotland, particularly within the county of Angus. The name is locational in origin, likely derived from the Old French word "jardin," which refers to a garden or an enclosed piece of land. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the town of Forfar. Historical records confirm that members of the Garden family were living and working in this area by 1748. During this period, Forfar served as a vital hub for the linen industry, and families like the Gardens were often integrated into the local trade and agricultural life of the region. Over generations, the name became synonymous with the local community, reflecting the transition from rural landholders to established townspeople who helped shape the social and economic fabric of the Scottish Lowlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
gardin
Old French term for an enclosed piece of ground or yard.
This name
GardenAn occupational name for a gardener or someone who lived near a cultivated enclosure.
also spelled
Gardin
Gardine
Gardyn
Related arms
Gardynvariant spelling
Gardynevariant spelling
Hayrecorded with Garden, same area
Renny-Tailyourrecorded with Garden, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
