A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gaddie family of England.
Reg. 5330 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
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. three billets sa”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Gaddie Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Gaddie arms are recorded
The Gaddie arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Gaddie 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 England.
Origin & History of the Gaddie Family in England
The surname Gaddie is believed to have originated as a descriptive name or a variation of regional identifiers common in the British Isles during the medieval period. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in London, a city that served as a bustling center for trade and migration at the time. During this era, families often moved to the capital to pursue opportunities in commerce or skilled craftsmanship. As the family settled into the urban landscape of seventeenth-century London, they became part of the diverse social fabric that defined the city during a time of significant historical change. The name likely evolved through local dialects and phonetic spelling, eventually stabilizing into the form recognized today as these early ancestors integrated into the professional and social life of the growing metropolis.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gadd
Derived from the Old Norse word gaddr meaning a spike or goad.
This name
GaddieA patronymic surname indicating a descendant of someone known by the nickname Gadda or Gaddr.
also spelled
Gaddie
Gadday
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
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
