A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Garrard family of England.
Reg. 2463 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. two lions combatant ar”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Garrard Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Garrard arms are recorded
The Garrard arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Garrard 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 Garrard Family in England
The surname Garrard is a variant of the name Gerard, which has deep roots in Germanic and Old French naming traditions. It eventually became a common fixture in England, where it evolved through various spellings based on local pronunciation and record-keeping habits. By the early seventeenth century, the family was well-established in the bustling environment of London. Records from 1620 show that members of the Garrard family were active participants in the city’s social and economic life during a period of significant growth. As London expanded as a global center for trade and politics, these early individuals helped shape the identity of the name within the urban landscape. Their presence in the capital during this era suggests that they were part of the rising merchant and professional classes who navigated the complex challenges of life in Stuart-era England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and hardy or brave.
This name
GarrardA patronymic surname signifying son of the brave spearman.
also spelled
Garradd
Related arms
Kennrecorded with Garrard, same area
Samsrecorded with Garrard, same area
Sydenhamrecorded with Garrard, same area
Veelerecorded with Garrard, 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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
