A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gandy family of England.
Reg. 7386 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. three saltires ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gandy Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gandy arms are recorded
The Gandy 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 Gandy 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 Gandy Family in England
The Gandy family name has deep roots in Northern England, with historical records confirming the presence of family members in the city of York as early as 1620. The name is believed to be topographic or descriptive in origin, likely derived from Old Norse or Middle English terms related to a specific location or a person’s physical traits. During the seventeenth century, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, which allowed families like the Gandys to establish themselves within the local merchant and professional classes. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and economic fabric of the region, contributing to the development of the city through their involvement in civic life and local industry. This early presence in York suggests that the family was well-established long before the period of mass migration, marking them as a traditional part of the northern English landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gant
A locational reference to the town of Ghent in modern Belgium.
This name
GandyAn occupational or habitational name for someone who originated from the city of Ghent.
also spelled
Gandy
Gaundey
Gaundy
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
