A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Garroway family of England.
Reg. 5358 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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 pile surmounted by a fesse betw. four leopards' faces gu”
HertfordHertford, c. 1620
Where the Garroway Arms Were Recorded
Hertford
Map of England showing where the Garroway arms are recorded
The Garroway arms were recorded in Hertford, c. 1620.
Hertfordshire lay just north of London and filled with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate within a day's ride was the usual next step, and an estate brought arms with it.
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 Garroway 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 Hertford.
Origin & History of the Garroway Family in England
The Garroway family name is rooted in the historical landscape of England, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the town of Hertford by the year 1620. The name likely evolved from regional dialects and local place names, reflecting the way families were identified in small communities during the early seventeenth century. During this period, Hertford served as a significant market town and administrative center, which suggests that the early Garroways were likely involved in the local trade, agriculture, or legal activities that defined life in the county of Hertfordshire. As the family established themselves in this region, they became part of the social fabric of the town, participating in the daily rhythms of a growing English community. Their presence in the official records of the era indicates that they were settled citizens who contributed to the local economy and the development of the area during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Garry
Derived from the Old Norse name Geir meaning spear.
This name
GarrowayA locational surname referring to a spear-wielding warrior or a dweller near a spear-shaped piece of land.
also spelled
Garraway
Garrawaye
Related arms
Garrawayvariant spelling
Cullenrecorded with Garroway, same area
Kayrecorded with Garroway, same area
Macdonaldrecorded with Garroway, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies, Hertford St Andrew Parish Registers, 1620
Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies, Quarter Sessions Records, 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.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
