A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goodheart family of England.
Reg. 8187 · 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 Goodheart Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of England showing where the Goodheart arms are recorded
The Goodheart 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 Goodheart 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 Goodheart Family in England
The surname Goodheart originated as a descriptive nickname in medieval England, likely bestowed upon an individual known for their generous spirit or kind disposition. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the county of Kent. During this period, Kent served as a vital agricultural and trade hub, and families like the Goodhearts were often deeply integrated into the local parish life and rural economy. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family name became more localized within these southeastern communities, reflecting the broader trend of families putting down deep roots in specific English shires. This early presence in Kent suggests that the family was part of the stable, land-holding, or artisan class that helped shape the social fabric of the region before many families began to migrate further afield.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
God-heorte
Old English words for deity or good and heart or spirit.
This name
GoodheartA descriptive nickname for a person with a kind, generous, or courageous disposition.
also spelled
Goodheart
Goodhert
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Wills and Administrations, 1620
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
