A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hare family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
martletA younger son, who must win his own landJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à trois choucas au nat.”
The Hare arms were recorded in France, c. 1625.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Reigning in France when the Hare arms are first recorded.
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
The history of the Hare family in France is deeply connected to the rugged landscapes of the Brittany region during the early seventeenth century. By 1625, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this coastal province. At that time, Brittany functioned as a distinct territory with its own unique customs and social structures. Families living in this area were often involved in local agriculture or maritime trade, which helped them integrate into the tight-knit communities of the Breton countryside. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects, reflecting the linguistic shifts common in western France during the transition from the Middle Ages to the early modern period. As the family grew, they became part of the local administrative and social fabric, contributing to the development of their parish through their daily work and community ties.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasuremartletA younger son, who must win his own landSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. a chev. engr. sa. betw. three griffins' heads erased az. on a chief gu. a mullet betw. two martlets or”
The Hare arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind 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.
Reigning in France when the Hare arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Hare emerged in England as a descriptive nickname, likely given to someone who possessed the swiftness or timid nature of the animal. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Norfolk. During this period, Norfolk was a center of agricultural wealth and trade, which allowed families like the Hares to integrate into the local social fabric as landowners and community members. The name appears in various parish registers and legal documents from the 1600s, reflecting a time when families were increasingly documenting their births, marriages, and property holdings. As the family settled into the Norfolk landscape, they became part of the regional history that defined rural England before the industrial shifts of later centuries.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominionSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Az. two bars and a chief indented or”
The Hare arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
Reigning in France when the Hare arms are first recorded.
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
The surname Hare has deep roots in the British Isles, with historical records confirming that members of the family were well-established in Edinburgh by 1748. During the eighteenth century, the city was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, and families like the Hares often integrated into the urban professional class. The name itself likely originated as a nickname based on physical agility or a person’s resemblance to the swift animal, a common practice in medieval naming conventions. As the family settled into the Scottish capital, they became part of the vibrant social fabric of the Enlightenment era. By the mid-1700s, the Hares were active participants in the local economy, contributing to the development of a city that was rapidly modernizing. Their presence in Edinburgh archives during this period reflects a transition from rural origins to the structured life of a growing metropolitan society.
Old Germanic term for a soldier or warrior.
