A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Woodard family of England.
Reg. 0809 · English, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bordureA difference between branches of one family
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ar. on a bend cotised sa. three martlets of the field, a border engr. az”
EssexEssex, c. 1620
Where the Woodard Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Woodard arms are recorded
The Woodard arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Woodard 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Woodard Family in England
The surname Woodard is a variant of the occupational name Woodward, which historically referred to a forest officer or a guardian of the woods. In medieval England, these individuals were responsible for protecting timber, managing wildlife, and enforcing local forest laws on behalf of landowners or the crown. By the year 1620, families bearing this name were well-established in the county of Essex, a region known for its dense woodlands and proximity to London. During this period, the name often appeared in parish registers as families transitioned from their traditional roles as foresters into various trades and agricultural work. This shift reflects the broader social changes occurring in seventeenth-century England as people began to move away from strictly manorial duties toward more independent livelihoods. The presence of the Woodard family in Essex during this time suggests they were part of the hardworking rural population that helped shape the local economy and community structure of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wuduweard
Old English words for wood and guardian or keeper.
This name
WoodardA person who worked as a forest warden or guardian of the woods.
also spelled
Woodward
Wooderd
Related arms
Woodwardvariant spelling
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Parish Registers of Essex, 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
bordureA difference between branches of one family
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bordureA difference between branches of one family
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
