A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gahan family of Sweden.
Reg. 5034 · Swedish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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 sa. in dexter chief point a lion ramp. of the last”
SwedenSweden, c. 1781
Where the Gahan Arms Were Recorded
Stockholm
Map of Sweden showing where the Gahan arms are recorded
The Gahan arms were recorded in Sweden, c. 1781.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Stockholm.
Stockholm held the Swedish court and the House of Nobility, where every noble family's arms were entered and kept. Families ennobled for service registered there, which is why so many are recorded around the city.
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 Sweden in this period.
Gustav III of Sweden
Sovereign of the period
Gustav III of Sweden
1771–1792
Reigning in Sweden when the Gahan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Sweden
In Sweden, a coat of arms belonged to a noble family as a whole rather than just one individual. These arms were passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants. Younger branches of the family used the same shield without needing to change it. This system ensured that the entire lineage shared the same identity and status under the law.
Granting authority
The Riddarhuset, or House of Nobility, regulated all noble coats of arms in Sweden under royal authority.
How they got arms
Families received their coats of arms through royal grants of nobility which were then officially registered with the House.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Swedish House of Nobility register starting in the year 1626.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Sweden.
Origin & History of the Gahan Family in Sweden
The Gahan family name has roots that stretch across European borders, eventually establishing a notable presence in Sweden by the late eighteenth century. Historical records confirm that members of the Gahan family were living in Stockholm by 1781, where they integrated into the local professional and social landscape of the city. During this period, Stockholm was a growing hub of trade and administration, and families with international backgrounds often played active roles in the urban development of the Swedish capital. While the name itself is often associated with Gaelic origins, its appearance in Swedish archives highlights how individuals moved across the continent to pursue new opportunities. By settling in Stockholm, the Gahan family became part of the diverse demographic shift that defined the city during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gahne
Derived from the Old Swedish word for a small farm or enclosure.
This name
GahanA topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a specific fenced area or farmstead.
also spelled
Gahan
Gahane
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Stockholm City Archives (Stockholms stadsarkiv), Överståthållarämbetet för uppbördsärenden
National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), Mantalslängder 1642–1820
Elgenstierna, Gustaf, Den introducerade svenska adelns ättartavlor, 1925
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
