Map of England showing where the Lard arms are recorded
The Lard arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Lard 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Lard Family in England
The family name Lard has roots that trace back to the historic city of Lincoln, England, where members of the family were documented as early as 1620. During this period, the name likely functioned as a descriptive surname, which was a common practice for identifying individuals based on their occupation or physical traits. In Middle English, the term often related to the storage or trade of lard, suggesting that early ancestors may have been merchants or producers involved in the local food economy. As the family established their presence in Lincoln, they became part of the social fabric of a city known for its medieval architecture and significant role in regional trade. Over the following generations, the name persisted as a marker of the family’s origins in this specific English county, reflecting the way surnames evolved from simple labels into permanent identifiers passed down through history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lardarius
Latin term referring to a dealer in bacon or salted meat.
This name
LardAn occupational surname for someone who worked as a lard merchant or bacon seller.
also spelled
Leward
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
