Map of England showing where the Germano arms are recorded
The Germano arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the 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 Germano 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Germano Family in England
The surname Germano originates from the Latin word "germanus," which translates to brother or someone of the same stock. Historically, this name was often used to identify individuals who had ancestral roots in Germanic regions or to denote a close familial bond. By the early 17th century, the family had established a presence in Lancaster, England, as evidenced by records from 1620. During this period, the name was likely carried by families who were part of the shifting social and religious landscape of the English Civil War era. These early ancestors were part of a growing movement of people who moved into urban centers like Lancaster to participate in trade and local government. Over time, the name evolved from a descriptive title into a fixed family identifier that was passed down through generations.
Germano Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Germanus
Latin word meaning brother or of the same stock.
This name
GermanoDerived from the Latin personal name signifying a person from Germany or a brotherly individual.
also spelled
Jerman
Jermain
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster Parish Registers: Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Smith, Elsdon C., American Surnames, 1969
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
