Map of England showing where the Packard arms are recorded
The Packard arms were recorded in London, c. 1356.
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.
Edward III of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward III of England
1327–1377
Reigning in England when the Packard 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 England.
Origin & History of the Packard Family in England
The surname Packard traces its roots back to medieval England, where it first appeared in historical records during the fourteenth century. By 1356, members of the family were established in London, participating in the bustling trade and civic life of the city. The name is widely considered to be a variation of the name Packard or Packwood, which likely originated as a descriptive term for someone who worked as a packman or a merchant who transported goods. During this era, surnames were often adopted based on a person’s occupation or their specific place of residence. As the family grew, they expanded from their urban beginnings in London into the rural regions of East Anglia, particularly in Suffolk and Norfolk. This migration was common for families looking to establish themselves in the growing wool and textile industries that defined the English economy at the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pakkard
Derived from the Germanic personal name Pachard meaning bold or strong.
This name
PackardAn occupational surname for a packman or peddler who traveled to sell goods.
also spelled
Picard
Pycard
Pikard
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: G, 1352-1374, 1905
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
