Map of England showing where the Sheard arms are recorded
The Sheard arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Sheard 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Sheard Family in England
The surname Sheard is rooted in the linguistic landscape of Northern England, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname or an occupational term. Etymologists often link the name to the Old English word "sceard," which referred to someone who was notched, broken, or perhaps a person who worked with shears. By the time the family was firmly established in the city of Chester in 1620, the name had become a stable identifier for a lineage deeply embedded in the local community. During this period, Chester served as a vital hub for trade and regional administration, suggesting that early members of the Sheard family were likely involved in the bustling urban economy of the seventeenth century. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the Cheshire region, contributing to the historical development of the area through their roles in local commerce and civic life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sceard
Old English term referring to a gap, notch, or cleft.
This name
SheardA topographic name for someone who lived near a mountain pass, ravine, or a notched piece of land.
also spelled
Sherdman
Sherdley
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
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop's Transcripts for the Diocese of Chester, 1620
Reaney, P.H., 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
