A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Packer family of England.
Reg. 3198 · English, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
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. a cross lozengy betw. four roses ar”
BerksBucklebury · Berks, c. 1620
Where the Packer Arms Were Recorded
Berks
Map of England showing where the Packer arms are recorded
The Packer arms were recorded in Berks, c. 1620.
Berkshire sat on the road west from London with the royal castle at Windsor in the middle of it. Court families bought estates within reach, and an estate near the court almost always came with a coat 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 Packer 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 Berks.
Origin & History of the Packer Family in England
The surname Packer is an occupational name that originated in medieval England to describe a person who packed goods for transport. During the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the county of Berkshire, where records confirm their residence by 1620. At this time, members of the family were often involved in the wool trade or local commerce, which relied heavily on the efficient packing and shipping of raw materials. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the local community and contributed to the agricultural and economic life of the region. This period marked a transition for the name as it moved from a simple job description to a permanent family identifier passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pakk
A Middle English or Middle Dutch term for a bundle or bale.
This name
PackerAn occupational surname for someone who packed goods or worked as a wool merchant.
also spelled
Paker
Packar
Pakkere
Related arms
Caldwallrecorded with Packer, same area
Pierserecorded with Packer, same area
Winchcomberecorded with Packer, same area
Wynchcomberecorded with Packer, 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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Berkshire Quarter Sessions Records, Q/SR
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
