A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Garratt family of England.
Reg. 0212 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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. on a fesse sa. a lion pass. of the first”
DevonBishops Court · Devon, c. 1620
Where the Garratt Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Garratt arms are recorded
The Garratt arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat 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 Garratt 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Garratt Family in England
The family name Garratt is a variation of the personal name Gerald, which originates from Germanic roots meaning spear and rule. By the early seventeenth century, the name had become firmly established in the county of Devon in South West England. Families bearing this name during the 1620s were typically involved in the agricultural and maritime life that defined the region at the time. As the name spread through local communities, it evolved in spelling based on how it was recorded by parish clerks and legal officials. These early ancestors were often documented in local church registers, which served as the primary way to track births, marriages, and deaths in rural Devon villages. Over several generations, the Garratt family became a recognized part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of the region through their roles in trade and land management.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and hardy or brave.
This name
GarrattA patronymic surname meaning son of the brave spearman.
also spelled
Garret
Garrett
Related arms
Garretvariant spelling
Garrettvariant spelling
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
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1600–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
