A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gaddis family of England.
Reg. 6858 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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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 gads sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gaddis Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gaddis arms are recorded
The Gaddis arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Gaddis 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 Gaddis Family in England
The family name Gaddis is believed to have roots in the northern regions of England, specifically around the city of York. Historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area by the year 1620. During this period, the name was often associated with families who lived near specific landmarks or worked in local trades. As the seventeenth century progressed, some members of the family began to migrate, eventually carrying the name across the Atlantic to the American colonies. This movement was common for families seeking new opportunities in trade and agriculture during the early colonial era. By settling in various regions, the family helped to spread the name throughout different parts of the English-speaking world while maintaining their connection to their northern English origins.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gadd
An Old Norse personal name meaning goad or spike.
This name
GaddisA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Gadd.
also spelled
Gaddis
Gaddesden
Gaddesdon
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
York Minster Archives, Parish Registers of York, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
