A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gaines family of England.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Barry of six vair and gu”
The Gaines 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.
Reigning in England when the Gaines arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Gaines is rooted in the linguistic traditions of medieval England, likely originating as a descriptive nickname or a locational identifier. Records indicate that members of the family were established in the historic city of York by the year 1620, a time when the region was a significant hub for trade and social development. During this period, families often settled in areas where they could contribute to the local economy through skilled labor or agriculture. The name itself may have evolved from the Old English word "gain," which historically implied a sense of directness or a shortcut, suggesting that early ancestors might have lived near a convenient path or a well-traveled route. As these families grew, they became integrated into the fabric of Northern English society, leaving behind traces in local parish registers and legal documents that highlight their steady presence in the region.
Old Norse word meaning to gain or obtain.
