A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gare family of England.
Reg. 0472 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. three lions ramp. ar. on a chief gu. a demi lion issuant or”
KentKent, c. 1620
Where the Gare Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Gare arms are recorded
The Gare arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Gare 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Gare Family in England
The family name Gare has deep roots in the county of Kent, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During the early seventeenth century, Kent was a bustling region shaped by its proximity to the English Channel and its role as a gateway for trade and travel. Families living in this area were often involved in the agricultural life of the rolling countryside or the maritime activities of the coastal ports. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic traditions, potentially serving as a descriptive term for people who lived near a specific landmark or a narrow passage of land. As the family settled into their community, they became part of the local history that defined the social and economic landscape of southeastern England during a period of significant national change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gara
Old English word meaning a triangular piece of land or spear.
This name
GareA topographic name for someone who lived near a triangular shaped plot of land.
also spelled
Garr
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Everitt, Alan, The Community of Kent and the Great Rebellion 1640-1660, 1966
Kent Archives, Quarter Sessions Records, Q/S/P
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
