 | A history of Caroline county, Virginia |  |
THE GARRETT FAMILY
The Garrett family, of Caroline is sprung from ancestors who
have been honored in many lands for many centuries. The family
is of Teutonic origin, "Ger," the root of the name, meaning "firm
spear." The family, or a branch of it, came over to Britain with
William the Conquerer, and there the root "Ger" became "Gar."
A number of this family were ennobled by the English kings and
Queens from time to time and a coat of arms granted to them.
Some of them became high church officials in the Church of
England, and others became Quakers. A number of the members
of this family went to Ireland and purchased the sequestered
lands of the Irish gentry after the Conquest. Many of the
Garretts, of England and Ireland bear noble titles to this day.
The Caroline Garretts are descended from ancestors who came
to Virginia from Leicestershire England in 1684. Sir William
Garrett, of London, was one of the charter members of the first
Virginia colony, and it is believed that he was one of its first
Chairmen. The Garretts of Caroline have been, for the most
part, planters, but several have held public office, among them
W. R. W. Garrett, Treasurer of the county, and C. W. Garrett,
his son, postmaster at the county seat.
The Garrett arms are thus described:
Arms:Ar. on a fesse sa. a lion pass. betw. two flanches sa.
Crest:
A lion pass. erm. resting the dexter paw on a fleur-de-lis or.
| A history of Caroline county, Virginia | |