A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gammell family of Scotland.
Reg. 8397 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
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. a chev. betw. three hearts fessways in chief gu. joined and pierced by a [?]”
KincardineDrumtochty · Kincardine, c. 1748
Where the Gammell Arms Were Recorded
Kincardine
Map of Scotland showing where the Gammell arms are recorded
The Gammell arms were recorded in Kincardine, c. 1748.
Kincardineshire was a narrow strip of farmland between the hills and the North Sea. Its landed families were few but very long-settled, and long settlement brought 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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Gammell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Kincardine.
Origin & History of the Gammell Family in Scotland
The Gammell family name is deeply rooted in the history of northeastern Scotland, with significant records placing the family in the parish of Kincardine by 1748. The name is believed to be a variation of the Old Norse word gamall, which translates to old or aged. This suggests that the name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for an elder or a respected patriarch within a community. Over many generations, the family established itself as a part of the local social fabric in Kincardineshire, often engaging in the agricultural and merchant activities that defined the region during the eighteenth century. By settling in this area, the early Gammells became part of a long tradition of Scottish families who maintained strong ties to their local parishes through land management and community leadership.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gamal
Old Norse word meaning old or aged.
This name
GammellA Scottish habitational or descriptive name derived from the Old Norse term for an elder.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Kincardine (Kincardineshire), Births and Baptisms, 1748
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
