Map of England showing where the Kerr arms are recorded
The Kerr arms were recorded in Northampton, c. 1787.
Northamptonshire was grazing and hunting country in the middle of England, thick with manor houses. Its families were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in England when the Kerr 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 Northampton.
Origin & History of the Kerr Family in England
The family name Kerr has deep roots that trace back to the rugged border regions between England and Scotland. While the name is often associated with the northern reaches of Britain, members of the family established a notable presence in Northampton by the late eighteenth century. By 1787, historical records confirm that individuals bearing the name were integrated into the local community of this English market town. During this period, families like the Kerrs often moved southward to seek new opportunities in trade and agriculture as the Industrial Revolution began to reshape the English landscape. Their transition from the borderlands to the Midlands reflects a broader pattern of migration that defined the social mobility of the era. This movement allowed the family to establish a lasting footprint in Northampton, where they contributed to the local economy and the steady growth of the town during the final years of the eighteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. on a chev. ar. three mullets of the field, all within a bordure of the second”
RoxburghBughtrigg · Roxburgh, c. 1787
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Map of Scotland showing where the Kerr arms are recorded
The Kerr arms were recorded in Roxburgh, c. 1787.
Roxburghshire was Scottish border country, fought over for three hundred years. Land was held in return for defending it, and a family that fought needed a shield it could be recognised by.
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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in England when the Kerr arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
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.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Roxburgh.
Origin & History of the Kerr Family in Scotland
The family name Kerr has deep roots in the Scottish Borders, particularly within the region of Roxburgh. Historically, the name is linked to the Old Norse word "kjarr," which describes a marshy area or a thicket of brushwood. This suggests that the earliest ancestors likely took their name from the landscape where they lived. By the time the family was firmly established in Roxburgh during the late eighteenth century, they were part of a long tradition of families who played a significant role in the local community. These early members were often involved in the agricultural and social life of the Scottish lowlands, helping to shape the identity of the region. Over many generations, the family became a permanent fixture in the area, contributing to the history of the Scottish Borders through their work and their presence in local records.
Kerr Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
cearr
A Gaelic term meaning left-handed or crooked.
This name
KerrA topographic name for someone living near a marsh or a descriptive name for a left-handed person.
also spelled
Kere
Kear
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Northamptonshire Archives, Northampton St Giles Parish Registers, 1787
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bordureA difference between branches of one family
