A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Harford family of England.
Reg. 5891 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. a fesse fusily gu. a lion pass. in chief sa”
DevonDevon, c. 1620
Where the Harford Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Harford arms are recorded
The Harford arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat 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 Harford 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Harford Family in England
The surname Harford is a locational name that likely originated from a specific river crossing in the English countryside. The name is derived from the Old English words "here," meaning army, and "ford," meaning a shallow place in a river where one could walk across. This suggests that the earliest ancestors bearing this name lived near a crossing point that was historically used by marching troops or local travelers. By the year 1620, the family was well-established in the county of Devon, where they were deeply integrated into the local community. During this era, families in Devon were often involved in agriculture or maritime trade, taking advantage of the region's fertile land and proximity to the sea. The Harfords of this period were part of a growing class of English families who were beginning to document their lives through parish registers and local land records, marking their transition from rural inhabitants to recognized members of the English gentry and merchant classes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hara-forda
Old English for a river crossing used by an army or troop.
This name
HarfordA topographical name referring to someone who lived near a ford used by a military force.
also spelled
Hareford
Harfurd
Related arms
Harefordvariant spelling
Harforthvariant spelling
Bridgerecorded with Harford, same area
Brydgesrecorded with Harford, 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, 1958
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1600–1650
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1936
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
