A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gambol family of England.
Reg. 7822 · 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 Gambol Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gambol arms are recorded
The Gambol 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 Gambol 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 Gambol Family in England
The surname Gambol likely originated as a descriptive nickname in medieval England, derived from the Old French word "gambade," which referred to a playful leap or a spirited spring in one's step. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Gambol family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern hub. Living in a city defined by its medieval walls and bustling trade, these early ancestors were likely integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that powered York during the reign of King James I. Over time, the name evolved from a lighthearted label for an energetic individual into a formal family identifier that persisted through generations of life in Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
gambe
Old French term for a leg or shank.
This name
GambolA nickname for someone with a distinctive gait or a person who walked with a limp.
also spelled
Gamble
Gambill
Gambol
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, 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
