A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gadsby family of England.
Reg. 0907 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a chev. erm. betw. three pheons ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gadsby Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gadsby arms are recorded
The Gadsby 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 Gadsby 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 Gadsby Family in England
The surname Gadsby is a locative name, which means it likely originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. Etymologists believe the name is derived from the village of Gaddesby in Leicestershire, England. The name itself combines an Old Norse personal name with the Old Norse word by, which translates to a farmstead or a village. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Gadsby family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, families often moved from rural villages to larger urban centers to pursue new economic opportunities in trade or craft. As these individuals settled in York, they carried the name of their ancestral home with them, helping to spread the Gadsby identity across Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gaddesby
A village in Leicestershire derived from Old Norse personal name Gaddr.
This name
GadsbyRefers to a person who originated from the village of Gaddesby in England.
also spelled
Gadsbie
Gadsbey
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1960
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
