A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the David Goch family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6669 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. a cross fusily betw. four eagles displ. sa”
DevonDevon, c. 1620
Where the David Goch Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the David Goch arms are recorded
The David Goch arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the David Goch 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the David Goch Family in England
The surname David Goch carries a unique linguistic history that reflects the blending of cultures in early modern England. The name is rooted in the Welsh language, where "Goch" functions as a descriptive nickname meaning red, often referring to a person’s hair color or complexion. By the time this branch of the family settled in Devon by 1620, the name had traveled from its Welsh origins into the English administrative system. During this period, families moving across regional borders often saw their names adapted to fit English spelling conventions, yet the David Goch name remained distinct. Living in Devon during the early seventeenth century placed these ancestors in a region known for its maritime expansion and agricultural growth. The family likely integrated into the local community as tradespeople or farmers, contributing to the social fabric of the West Country while maintaining a name that served as a direct link to their ancestral heritage.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Per pale az. and sa. three fleurs-de-lis or”
Walesc. 1647
Where the David Goch Arms Were Recorded
Denbigh
Map of Wales showing where the David Goch arms are recorded
The David Goch arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the David Goch arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the David Goch Family in Wales
The surname David Goch finds its roots in the traditional Welsh naming customs that were common before the widespread adoption of fixed family names. In the Welsh language, the word goch is a mutation of coch, which translates to red. This descriptive nickname was likely used to distinguish a specific ancestor by their hair color or complexion. By the time the family was firmly established in the town of Denbigh in 1647, the name had transitioned from a personal identifier into a hereditary surname passed down through generations. Living in Denbigh during the mid-seventeenth century placed the family in a region defined by its historic castle and its role as a bustling market center in North Wales. During this era, families in the area were often deeply connected to the local parish records and the social shifts occurring after the English Civil War. This transition from a descriptive nickname to a formal family name reflects the broader cultural changes that transformed Welsh identity during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dafydd
A Welsh name derived from the Hebrew word for beloved.
This name
David GochA combination of the given name David and the Welsh adjective coch meaning red.
also spelled
Gogh
Gochee
Gooche
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Morgan, T.J. and Morgan, P., Welsh Surnames, 1985
The National Archives, Exchequer: King's Remembrancer: Lay Subsidy Rolls, 1620
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
