A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gamlin family of England.
Reg. 0945 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. three mullets or”
LincolnSpalding · Lincoln, c. 1620
Where the Gamlin Arms Were Recorded
Lincoln
Map of England showing where the Gamlin arms are recorded
The Gamlin arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Gamlin 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Gamlin Family in England
The surname Gamlin is rooted in the medieval period of England and likely originated as a patronymic name, which means it was derived from the given name of an ancestor. Etymologists believe the name stems from the Old French name Gamelin, which was a popular diminutive form of the Germanic name Gamel, meaning old or aged. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of Lincoln. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Gamlin family were active participants in the social and economic life of this cathedral city. During this era, families often settled in specific regions for generations, and the Gamlins became part of the local fabric of Lincolnshire. Their presence in such a prominent administrative center suggests that early members of the family were likely involved in the trades or local governance that defined life in post-medieval England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gamel
Old Norse word meaning old, aged, or mature.
This name
GamlinA patronymic surname derived from the Old Norse personal name Gamel, meaning son of Gamel.
also spelled
Gamlin
Gamlen
Gamline
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
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln Consistory Court Wills, 1620
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mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
