A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gambell family of England.
Reg. 3480 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Gu. a fleur-de-lis or, a chief erm”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gambell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gambell arms are recorded
The Gambell 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 Gambell 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 Gambell Family in England
The surname Gambell is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Old French word "gambe," which refers to a leg. In medieval times, such names were often given to individuals who were known for their distinct gait or perhaps their skill as dancers. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Gambell family were well-established in the historic city of York, England. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there were often deeply integrated into the local parish systems. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Northern England, living through a time of significant transition as the country moved toward the modern era. The presence of the family in York suggests they were likely involved in the local merchant guilds or skilled trades that defined the city’s economy in the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gamel
Old Norse word meaning old or aged.
This name
GambellA patronymic surname derived from the Old Norse personal name Gamel, meaning son of the old one.
also spelled
Gamble
Gambill
Gambol
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of York, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
