Map of England showing where the Garland arms are recorded
The Garland arms were recorded in Dorset, c. 1620.
Dorset was quiet farming and grazing country along the south coast. Its gentry were middling rather than grand, but they held their manors for a very long time, and long holding is what puts a name in the records.
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 Garland 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 Dorset.
Origin & History of the Garland Family in England
The surname Garland has deep roots in the English landscape, with historical evidence placing the family in the county of Dorset as early as 1620. The name is generally classified as a topographic or locative surname, likely originating from individuals who lived near a specific piece of land or a prominent feature in the countryside. During the medieval period, many families adopted names based on their surroundings to help distinguish themselves in growing communities. By the time the Garland family was established in Dorset in the early 17th century, they were part of a society that was rapidly changing due to agricultural shifts and the early movements of people toward the New World. While the name itself carries a lyrical quality, its early history is tied to the hardworking people who cultivated the fields and managed the estates of southern England. These early ancestors helped shape the local identity of their region, leaving behind a legacy that is preserved in parish registers and local land records from that era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
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. an eagle displ. with two necks sa. armed, beaked, and ducally gorged or”
DublinDublin, c. 1631
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Garland arms are recorded
The Garland arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1631.
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 England when the Garland 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 Dublin.
Origin & History of the Garland Family in Ireland
The Garland family name has a long history in Ireland that is deeply tied to the development of Dublin. While the name has roots in various parts of Europe, records confirm that members of the Garland family were well established in Dublin by 1631. During this period, the family was integrated into the urban life of the city, often participating in the growing trade and civic activities that defined the capital. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family name became increasingly associated with the social and economic shifts occurring within the Pale, which was the area of Ireland under direct English control. By settling in Dublin, the Garlands were part of a complex movement of people who helped shape the administrative and commercial landscape of the city during a time of significant political change.
Garland Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Garelande
Old French term referring to a wreath or chaplet of flowers.
This name
GarlandA topographic name for someone living near a garden or a metonymic occupational name for a maker of garlands.
also spelled
Garlant
Garlond
Garlaund
Related arms
Cliverecorded with Garland, same area
Jewrecorded with Garland, same area
Leesonrecorded with Garland, 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
Dorset History Centre, Parish Registers of Dorset, 1620
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
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
