A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Games family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9996 · Welsh, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, a lion pass. guard. gu”
WalesNewton, c. 1647
Where the Games Arms Were Recorded
Denbigh
Map of Wales showing where the Games arms are recorded
The Games arms were recorded in Newton, 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 Games 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 Games Family in Wales
The surname Games has deep roots in the Welsh landscape, where it evolved from the traditional naming customs of the region. In early Welsh society, individuals were often identified by their father’s name, but as families grew and settled in specific areas, these identifiers became permanent surnames. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was firmly established in the county of Denbighshire. Records from 1647 highlight their presence in this area, suggesting that the family had already integrated into the local social and economic life of North Wales. During this period, families like the Games were often involved in local landholding and community leadership. Their transition from a patronymic naming style to a fixed family name reflects the broader shift in Welsh history as the population began to adopt more standardized naming conventions to match the practices of the wider British Isles.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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. erm. betw. three eagles close ar”
LeicesterLeicester, c. 1614
Where the Games Arms Were Recorded
Leicester
Map of England showing where the Games arms are recorded
The Games arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1614.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into the registers.
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 Games 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 Leicester.
Origin & History of the Games Family in England
The surname Games has deep roots in the English landscape, with historical evidence placing members of the family in Leicester as early as 1614. During this period, the name was likely associated with families living in the East Midlands, a region known for its agricultural trade and growing market towns. Surnames in the seventeenth century often evolved from nicknames, occupations, or local landmarks, and the name Games may have originated as a descriptive term for a person known for their lively spirit or their participation in local festivities. As the family established itself in Leicester, they became part of the local social fabric, likely working in the trades or farming communities that defined the area. Over the following generations, the family name persisted through parish records and legal documents, reflecting the steady growth and movement of families across the English countryside during the early modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cam
A Welsh adjective meaning crooked, bent, or awry.
This name
GamesA descriptive nickname for a person with a physical deformity or squint.
also spelled
Gamm
Gamme
Related arms
Gaimesvariant spelling
Gammevariant spelling
Gamysvariant spelling
Gamsrecorded with Games, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bartrum, Peter C., Welsh Genealogies AD 300–1400, 1974
National Library of Wales, Records of the Court of Great Sessions in Wales, 1542–1830
Rowlands, John and Sheila, The Surnames of Wales, 1996
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
