Map of England showing where the Peat arms are recorded
The Peat 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 Peat 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 Peat Family in England
The surname Peat is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname. Etymologists often link the name to the Middle English word "pete," which referred to a piece of turf or peat cut from the ground for fuel. This suggests that the earliest people to carry the name may have been involved in the harvesting or selling of peat from the marshy lowlands. By the year 1620, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent. During this period, Kent was a hub of agricultural activity and maritime trade, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow. As the name spread through the region, it became a permanent fixture of the local community, reflecting the connection between the people and the natural resources of the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Petrus
A Greek word meaning a stone or rock.
This name
PeatA medieval pet form of Peter, often used as a term of endearment.
also spelled
Peet
Peete
Related arms
Lambardrecorded with Peat, same area
Loverecorded with Peat, same area
Streatfeildrecorded with Peat, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Wills and Administrations, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
