A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Garnet family of England.
Reg. 1397 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. a lion ramp. ar. crowned or, a bordure of the last”
LancasterSpeke · Lancaster, c. 1620
Where the Garnet Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Garnet arms are recorded
The Garnet arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries 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 Garnet 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Garnet Family in England
The surname Garnet is rooted in the medieval period and likely originated as a nickname or a trade name. Many historians believe it evolved from the Old French word grenat, which refers to the deep red gemstone known as a garnet. It is possible that an early ancestor was a jeweler or a merchant who dealt in these precious stones. By the early 17th century, the family had established a clear presence in the historic county of Lancaster in Northwest England. Records confirm that members of the Garnet family were living in this region by 1620, a time when the area was known for its growing textile industry and strong local traditions. These early settlers were part of a resilient community that helped shape the social and economic landscape of Lancashire for generations to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
granatum
Latin term for a pomegranate or seed-bearing fruit.
This name
GarnetA metonymic occupational name for a maker of hinges or a jeweler.
also spelled
Garnat
Garnatt
Related arms
Garnatt, or Garnetvariant spelling
Erneysrecorded with Garnet, 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
Lancashire Archives, Bishop’s Transcripts of Parish Registers, 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.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
