A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Harter family of England.
Reg. 7808 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 lion ramp. double-queued betw. three mullets of six points az. pierced of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Harter Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Harter arms are recorded
The Harter 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 Harter 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 Harter Family in England
The surname Harter is rooted in the occupational traditions of medieval England, likely originating as a descriptive name for someone who worked as a harvester or a tender of deer. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 indicate that members of the Harter family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern hub during a time of significant transition in England. As residents of a major trade center, these early ancestors likely engaged in the local guilds or merchant networks that defined York’s identity. Their presence in such a prominent city suggests that the family was well-integrated into the urban fabric of the era, contributing to the growth and stability of their community long before the mass migrations that would later spread the name across the globe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Heort
Old English term referring to a male deer or stag.
This name
HarterAn occupational surname for a person who worked as a keeper or hunter of deer.
also spelled
Hartar
Hartor
Hartre
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
