A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gardener family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3372 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a chev. betw. three half spades ar”
Englandc. 1563
Where the Gardener Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gardener arms are recorded
The Gardener arms were recorded in England, c. 1563.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Gardener 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 England.
Origin & History of the Gardener Family in England
The surname Gardener originated as an occupational name for someone who worked as a professional groundskeeper or vegetable grower. In medieval England, these individuals were essential to the management of manor estates and monastic gardens, which provided both food and medicinal herbs for the local community. By the time the name appears in the historical records of York in 1563, the family had likely established itself within the urban merchant or artisan classes of the city. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade, and families with this name were often integrated into the local guilds that controlled city commerce. The transition from a simple job title to a hereditary family name reflects the growing stability of English society during the sixteenth century, as families began to pass their trade identities down through generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a chev. erm. betw. three buglehorns ar. stringed or”
ScotlandBerwick-on-Tweed, c. 1580
Where the Gardener Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Gardener arms are recorded
The Gardener arms were recorded in Berwick-on-Tweed, c. 1580.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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.
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 Scotland.
Origin & History of the Gardener Family in Scotland
The surname Gardener emerged as an occupational name, identifying individuals who were responsible for the cultivation and maintenance of gardens and estates. By the year 1580, records confirm that members of the Gardener family were firmly established in Edinburgh. During this period, Edinburgh was a bustling center of trade and administration, and those bearing the name were often integrated into the city’s growing professional class. Because the name was tied to a specific trade, early family members likely held positions of trust within the households of the Scottish nobility or managed the communal lands surrounding the city walls. As the family grew, they became part of the urban fabric of Scotland’s capital, transitioning from skilled laborers to established residents who contributed to the local economy and civic life of the sixteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
gardin
Old French term for a garden or enclosed piece of land.
This name
GardenerAn occupational surname for someone who worked as a tender of gardens or grounds.
also spelled
Gardiner
Gardner
Related arms
Gardnersame arms
Gardinersimilar arms
Gardnersvariant spelling
Brookerecorded with Gardener, 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, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
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
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
