A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gandolf family of England.
Reg. 3910 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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. in base a mount vert, thereon a poplar tree betw. two lions ramp. combatant crowned with counts' coronets all ppr”
SurreyRichmond · Surrey, c. 1620
Where the Gandolf Arms Were Recorded
Surrey
Map of England showing where the Gandolf arms are recorded
The Gandolf arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1620.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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 Gandolf 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Gandolf Family in England
The surname Gandolf is rooted in ancient Germanic naming traditions, derived from the Old High German elements "gand," meaning magic or enchantment, and "wulf," meaning wolf. This combination suggests that the name was originally an occupational or descriptive term for a person believed to possess the fierce or mystical qualities associated with a wolf. By the early 17th century, the family had established a documented presence in the English county of Surrey, specifically appearing in parish records by 1620. During this period, families in Surrey were often involved in local agriculture or trade, living in small rural communities that were gradually connecting to the growing influence of nearby London. As the family settled into this region, the name evolved through various spellings, reflecting the phonetic habits of local clerks who recorded births and marriages in church registers. This transition from a continental Germanic origin to a settled English lineage highlights the movement and adaptation of families across Europe during the early modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gandolfus
Derived from Germanic elements meaning wand or staff and wolf.
This name
GandolfA surname originating from the Germanic personal name meaning magic wolf or wolf of the staff.
also spelled
Gandolfy
Gandolf
Gandolfo
Gandolphi
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Förstemann, Ernst, Altdeutsches Namenbuch, 1900
Surrey History Centre, Parish Register Records for Surrey, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lionCourage, strength and royalty
