Map of England showing where the Soard arms are recorded
The Soard arms were recorded in Northumberland, c. 1620.
Northumberland was border country facing Scotland, raided and fought over for three hundred years. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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 Soard 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 Northumberland.
Origin & History of the Soard Family in England
The surname Soard is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Northumberland, where family members were documented as early as 1620. During this period, the region was a place of significant transition, characterized by the influence of the Anglo-Scottish border culture and the daily realities of life in northern England. Families in this area often lived in close-knit communities that relied on agriculture and local trade to survive the harsh northern climate. The name likely evolved from regional dialects or descriptive nicknames common to the people living near the borderlands. As the seventeenth century progressed, the Soard family became part of the local history of Northumberland, contributing to the social and economic fabric of a region defined by its resilience and unique northern identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sward
Old English term for skin, hide, or grassy surface of land.
This name
SoardAn occupational surname for a person who worked on or managed grassy land or pastures.
also spelled
Syerd
Syarda
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
