A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Googe family of England.
Reg. 9517 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. three boars pass. ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Googe Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Googe arms are recorded
The Googe arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Googe 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 England.
Origin & History of the Googe Family in England
The surname Googe is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Middle English word "goge," which was used to describe someone who was playful or perhaps a bit foolish. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Googe family were living in this northern hub by 1620, a time when the city was a center for trade and religious administration. These early ancestors were part of the growing urban population that helped shape the local economy and social life of Yorkshire. Over the generations, the family name became firmly rooted in the region, reflecting the migration patterns and naming customs common in northern England during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gode
Old English term meaning good or pious.
This name
GoogeA nickname for a person of good character or a pious individual.
also spelled
Gouge
Goges
Related arms
Gogesvariant spelling
Gougevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
