A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Garret family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0735 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à la bande d'or, ch. d'un poisson de gu., posé dans le sens de la bande, et acc. en chef d'une aigle d'arg. et en p. de trois bandes du même.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Garret Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Garret arms are recorded
The Garret arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Garret arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Garret Family in France
The name Garret finds its roots in the medieval period as a variation of the Germanic name Gerard, which means brave spear. By the time the family was firmly established in the region of Bretagne in 1725, they were likely part of the rural population that defined the social fabric of northwestern France. During this era, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit communities centered around local parishes and agricultural cycles. Because the name was tied to a common personal name, it likely evolved through oral tradition as families moved between villages in search of work or better farmland. The presence of the Garret name in 18th-century Bretagne suggests that these ancestors were part of the hardworking peasantry or artisan class who maintained the unique cultural and linguistic traditions of the Breton people during a time of significant transition under the French monarchy.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. a saltire gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Garret Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Garret arms are recorded
The Garret arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 France when the Garret 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 Garret Family in England
The surname Garret originates from the medieval given name Gerard, which was introduced to England following the Norman Conquest. Over several centuries, the name evolved through various spellings as it transitioned from a personal name into a hereditary family surname. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Garret family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern hub. During this period, York served as a vital center for trade and administration, and families like the Garrets often worked as skilled craftsmen or merchants. Their presence in the city reflects the broader movement of families who settled in urban centers to build stable lives during the transition from the Elizabethan era to the early Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and hardy or brave.
This name
GarretA French variant of a name signifying a brave or strong spearman.
also spelled
Garet
Garrett
Garrat
Garratt
Related arms
Garrevariant spelling
Garratvariant spelling
Garrattvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morvan, Françoise, La douce Bretagne, 2008
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
