A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gandolfo family of England.
Reg. 2378 · 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 Gandolfo Arms Were Recorded
Surrey
Map of England showing where the Gandolfo arms are recorded
The Gandolfo 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 Gandolfo 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 Gandolfo Family in England
The family name Gandolfo carries a rich history that traces its roots back to ancient Germanic origins, specifically from the name Gandulf, which combines the words for wand or staff and wolf. While the name is deeply associated with Italian regions like Sicily and Liguria, the presence of the family in Surrey by 1620 suggests a fascinating period of migration and movement across Europe. During the early 17th century, families often moved between continental Europe and England for trade, religious reasons, or political stability. By settling in Surrey, the early members of this lineage became part of the local social fabric during a time of great change in English history. This transition from their ancestral lands to the English countryside highlights the adaptability and endurance of the family name as it integrated into a new cultural environment.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gandolf
Derived from the Germanic elements meaning wand or staff and wolf.
This name
GandolfoAn Italian surname of Germanic origin signifying a wolf-like warrior or leader.
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
National Archives, Kew. Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers. Series PROB 11
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
