A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Garrow family of England.
Reg. 4005 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
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. a bend betw. a buck's head erased in chief and three crosses crosslet fitchée in base all ar”
SussexBolnore · Sussex, c. 1620
Where the Garrow Arms Were Recorded
Sussex
Map of England showing where the Garrow arms are recorded
The Garrow arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1620.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic 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 Garrow 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 Sussex.
Origin & History of the Garrow Family in England
The surname Garrow is believed to have roots in the northern regions of Britain, likely originating from the Gaelic word "garbh," which translates to rough or rugged. While the name is often associated with Scottish heritage, historical records confirm that members of the Garrow family were well-established in the county of Sussex by 1620. During this period, families in Sussex were often involved in local agriculture or the thriving iron industry that defined the region. As the family settled into southern England, they adapted to the local landscape and became part of the growing communities that supported the rural economy. Over time, the name evolved through various spellings as it moved from the northern highlands into the coastal villages of the south, reflecting the migration patterns of families seeking new opportunities in trade and land ownership.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gara
Old French word meaning a spear or a javelin.
This name
GarrowA topographical name for someone who lived near a triangular piece of land or a spear-shaped plot.
also spelled
Garo
Garroe
Garrowy
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
Lower, Mark Antony. Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom. 1860
West Sussex Record Office, Parish Registers of Sussex, 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
