A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mares family of England.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Barry nebulée of six erm. and ar”
The Mares 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.
Reigning in England when the Mares arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Mares is rooted in the linguistic landscape of medieval Europe, likely originating as a topographic surname for people who lived near a marsh or a body of water. By the early 17th century, the name had established a firm presence in the historic city of York, England. Records from 1620 show family members living in this region during a time of significant social and economic transition. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, which suggests that the early Mares family were likely integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined city life. Their presence in the city archives during this era reflects the broader movement of families who helped shape the local community through their work and civic participation.
Derived from the Latin word meaning of the sea.
