A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Game family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2653 · Welsh, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. three cocks gu. crested and jelloped or”
Walesc. 1647
Where the Game Arms Were Recorded
Denbigh
Map of Wales showing where the Game arms are recorded
The Game arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Game arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Game Family in Wales
The surname Game has deep roots in the historical landscape of North Wales, particularly within the county of Denbighshire. By the mid-seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the Game family were well-established residents of Denbigh. During this era, the region was undergoing significant social and economic shifts following the turbulence of the English Civil War. Families like the Games often lived in close-knit rural communities where they played active roles in local parish life and agriculture. Because the name is relatively rare, it is likely that these early ancestors were part of a specific local lineage that had occupied the area for generations before appearing in official tax or church registers. Their presence in Denbigh by 1647 suggests they were settled members of the community who contributed to the unique cultural identity of the Welsh borderlands during a time of great national change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a chev. betw. three spears' heads ar. embrued gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Game Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Game arms are recorded
The Game 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 Wales when the Game 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 Game Family in England
The surname Game emerged in England as a descriptive name, likely originating from a nickname used to identify someone with a lively or playful personality. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the historic city of York, as evidenced by records from 1620. During this period, York served as a major northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that those bearing the name were integrated into the local urban economy. Because surnames were still evolving in their spelling and usage during the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the name was often recorded in various forms based on how a local clerk heard the pronunciation. The family members living in York during the early 1600s were part of a society transitioning from the Elizabethan era into the political instability of the seventeenth century, living in a city defined by its medieval walls and its importance to the Church of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
gamm
Old Norse word meaning crooked or bent.
This name
GameA descriptive nickname for a person with a physical deformity or a crooked limb.
also spelled
Gamm
Gams
Related arms
Gamsvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
