A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gaige family of England.
Reg. 3690 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, gyronny of four az. and ar. a saltire gu., for GAGE; 2nd and 3rd, az. the sun in splendour or, for ST. CLERE”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gaige Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gaige arms are recorded
The Gaige 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 Gaige 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 Gaige Family in England
The surname Gaige is an ancient English name that likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person who acted as a pledge or a surety for others. In the Middle Ages, the word "gage" referred to a security or a deposit given to guarantee a promise or a debt. By the time the family was firmly established in the city of York around 1620, the name had evolved into a fixed hereditary surname. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Gaiges were often involved in the local merchant guilds or civic administration. As residents of such a significant northern city, these early family members lived through a time of great social change, helping to shape the local community while carrying a name that reflected the importance of trust and legal obligation in medieval society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gage
Derived from the Old French word for a pledge or security.
This name
GaigeOriginally a nickname for a money lender or someone who provided a pledge.
also spelled
Gages
Gaggee
Gag
Gayj
Gaige
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, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
