A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hardgrave family of England.
Reg. 2283 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. a fesse or, fretty gu. betw. three hinds trippant ar”
LincolnLincoln, c. 1620
Where the Hardgrave Arms Were Recorded
Lincoln
Map of England showing where the Hardgrave arms are recorded
The Hardgrave arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size 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 Hardgrave 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Hardgrave Family in England
The surname Hardgrave is a locational name that originated in England, likely describing a family that lived near a specific grove or wooded area. The name is derived from the Old English words "heard," meaning hard or firm, and "graf," meaning a grove or thicket. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Hardgrave family were established in the city of Lincoln. During this period, the family was part of the growing population of the East Midlands, a region known for its strong agricultural roots and trade connections. As the family settled into life in Lincoln, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the community as the city evolved through the seventeenth century. The name itself serves as a historical marker, reflecting how early English families often identified themselves by the natural landmarks that defined their immediate surroundings.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hearg-graf
Old English for a sacred grove or temple located in a wood.
This name
HardgraveRefers to a person who lived near a sacred grove or a burial site.
also spelled
Hardgreave
Hardgreve
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
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln Consistory Court Wills and Inventories, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
