Map of England showing where the Gammon arms are recorded
The Gammon 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 Gammon 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 Gammon Family in England
The surname Gammon has deep roots in England, with historical records confirming that members of the family were established in the city of York by the year 1620. The name is generally considered to be a descriptive nickname that evolved into a hereditary surname during the Middle Ages. It is likely derived from the Old French word gambon, which referred to the leg or ham of an animal. In early society, such a name might have been given to a person who worked as a butcher or perhaps someone known for a particular gait or physical trait. As families settled in northern hubs like York, the name became a permanent marker of their identity, passed down through generations as they participated in the local trade and civic life of the city.
Gammon Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Gamba
An Italian or Old French term referring to a leg or shank.
This name
GammonA nickname for a person with a distinctive gait or a prominent leg.
also spelled
Gamyn
Gameen
Gammon
Gamon
Gamman
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, 1997
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
