Map of England showing where the Nares arms are recorded
The Nares arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 Nares 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Nares Family in England
The history of the Nares family name is deeply rooted in the rural landscape of southeastern England. By the early 17th century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of Kent. During this period, the name was often associated with families who worked the land or held positions within local parish communities. Because Kent served as a vital gateway for trade and travel between London and the European continent, the family likely lived in a region defined by constant social and economic movement. Over the following generations, the name spread from these Kentish origins into other parts of England, eventually becoming linked to notable figures in law, music, and exploration. The persistence of the name in parish registers from the 1600s suggests that the family maintained a stable presence in the English countryside for many centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nare
Derived from the Old French word for a narrow or constricted passage.
This name
NaresA topographical surname for someone who lived near a narrow strait or path.
also spelled
Naresse
Nairs
Related arms
Bodenhamrecorded with Nares, same area
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
Kent Archives, Canterbury Cathedral Archives: Parish Registers of Kent, 1620
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
