A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goodhart family of England.
Reg. 5184 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Gu. a buck trippant ar. in chief two bees volant or, on a chief nebulée of the third a cross of Lorraine of the field betw. two eagles displ. sa”
KentLangley Park · Kent, c. 1620
Where the Goodhart Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Goodhart arms are recorded
The Goodhart arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 England when the Goodhart 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Goodhart Family in England
The surname Goodhart originated as a descriptive nickname in medieval England, likely bestowed upon an individual known for their kind, generous, or courageous nature. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a firm presence in the county of Kent, a region known for its rich agricultural history and proximity to London. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Goodhart family were living in this area during a time of significant social and religious change. As residents of Kent, these early ancestors were part of a community deeply involved in the trade and farming practices that defined the English countryside. Over the following generations, the family name persisted as a mark of local identity, reflecting the values of the people who first adopted it centuries ago.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
God-heard
Derived from the Old English elements for good or god and brave.
This name
GoodhartA locative or descriptive surname denoting a person of good heart or courageous character.
also spelled
Goodheart
Goodhert
Related arms
Harveyrecorded with Goodhart, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1384–1858
Kent History and Library Centre, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury: Wills and Administrations, 1539–1858
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
