Map of England showing where the Hoar arms are recorded
The Hoar arms were recorded in Hants, c. 1620.
Hampshire had the naval dockyards at Portsmouth on one side and good farmland on the other. Sea money and land money both bought estates, and an estate was what brought a family its 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 Hoar 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 Hants.
Origin & History of the Hoar Family in England
The surname Hoar is an ancient English name that likely originated as a descriptive nickname. In Middle English, the word "hoar" meant grey or white, and it was often used to describe someone with prematurely grey hair or a person who lived near a prominent grey-colored landmark, such as a weathered stone or a misty hill. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Hampshire. Records confirm that members of the Hoar family were living in this region by 1620, where they were integrated into the local community as landowners and tradespeople. As the family grew, they became part of the wave of English settlers who eventually looked toward the American colonies for new opportunities, carrying their name and traditions across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Har
Old English word meaning grey or hoary.
This name
HoarA descriptive nickname for an elderly person or someone with grey hair.
also spelled
Hore
Hoor
Related arms
Horevariant spelling
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
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Hampshire Record Office, Hampshire Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bordureA difference between branches of one family
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
