The only son of William Nares, he was born on 16 Oct 1795.  

We know, from his father's Will, that he "was placed under Captain Hurd(?), Hydrographer to the Admiralty, in November one thousand eight hundred and thirteen and since his (Capt Hurd's) decease has continued as a clerk in the Hydrographer’s Office."

 He married Susan Elizabeth Allen in Dec 1820 at St George's, Hanover Sq. They had four children, Robert, William Henry, George Joseph, and Jane Mary,  all christened on 24 Oct 1828 in London.)