Map of England showing where the Soares arms are recorded
The Soares arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1568.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Soares 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 Soares Family in England
The family name Soares is primarily of Portuguese and Galician origin, derived from the medieval given name Suerius, which itself stems from the ancient Germanic name Swidger. While the name is deeply rooted in the Iberian Peninsula, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the English county of Kent as early as 1568. During this period, many families from the continent migrated to England due to religious shifts and the expansion of trade networks. These early settlers in Kent likely integrated into the local community by working in agriculture or regional commerce, gradually adapting their naming traditions to fit the English linguistic landscape. Over time, the presence of the Soares name in areas like Kent highlights the long history of movement and cultural exchange between England and the rest of Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Soeiro
Derived from the Germanic name Suidger meaning spear of the south.
This name
SoaresA patronymic surname meaning son of Soeiro, historically associated with Portuguese and Galician origins.
also spelled
Saires
Sayres
Sayers
Sarre
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Faure, Roberto, Ribes, María Asunción, and García, Antonio, Diccionario de apellidos españoles, 2001
Piel, Joseph M., Os nomes de família de origem germânica em Portugal, 1945
The National Archives, Kew, State Papers Domestic, Elizabeth I, 1568
Kent History and Library Centre, Maidstone, Archdeaconry of Canterbury Wills and Administrations, 1568
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
saracens head affronty coupedA crusade fought, and an enemy met in the field
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
saracens head affronty coupedA crusade fought, and an enemy met in the field
