Map of England showing where the Gambrell arms are recorded
The Gambrell 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 Gambrell 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 Gambrell Family in England
The Gambrell surname is believed to have originated in England, with historical records placing members of the family in the city of York by the year 1620. The name likely evolved from a descriptive nickname or a locational reference, as was common for surnames developing during the Middle Ages. Families in the York region during the early seventeenth century often lived through a time of significant social and economic change, which frequently prompted individuals to move between rural villages and growing urban centers. As the Gambrell name became more established, it spread through local parish records and legal documents that tracked births, marriages, and property ownership. By settling in a major historical hub like York, early family members were positioned within a center of trade and administration, which helped the name persist and eventually migrate across the Atlantic as part of the broader movement of people to the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gamber
A person who walks with a crooked or bent leg.
This name
GambrellA topographic or descriptive surname for someone with a distinctive limping gait.
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. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
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
