A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Garter family of England.
Reg. 2069 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
caltrapA warning to enemies of a well-defended position
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, on a cross quarterly pierced az. four caltraps of the field”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1620
Where the Garter Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Garter arms are recorded
The Garter arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Garter 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Garter Family in England
The family name Garter traces its roots to the rural landscapes of Norfolk, England, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1620. During this period, the name likely functioned as a descriptive occupational surname, referring to an individual who crafted or sold garters, which were essential functional items used to hold up stockings in daily attire. Life in seventeenth-century Norfolk was defined by the rhythms of agriculture and the growing influence of local trade, providing a stable environment for families to settle and expand. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, participating in the local parish life and economic activities that characterized East Anglia. By documenting their presence in early records, we see a family that was deeply integrated into the community, reflecting the broader history of English families who built their legacies through steady work and regional loyalty.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gartier
Old French term for a strap or band used to secure stockings.
This name
GarterAn occupational name for a maker or seller of garters or a wearer of distinctive leg bands.
also spelled
Gartar
Gartor
Gartre
Gartier
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
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts, 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.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
caltrapA warning to enemies of a well-defended position
cross symbolChristian faith and service
caltrapA warning to enemies of a well-defended position
