Map of England showing where the Gantley arms are recorded
The Gantley 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 Gantley 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 Gantley Family in England
The family name Gantley is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York served as a vital center for trade and administration, providing a stable environment for families to establish themselves through local crafts and commerce. The name likely evolved from regional dialects and topographical descriptions common to the Yorkshire area during the late medieval and early modern periods. As the family settled into the urban life of York, they became part of the growing middle class that helped define the city’s social and economic character. By maintaining a consistent presence in parish records and municipal documents, the early Gantley family members contributed to the long-standing history of the region, reflecting the typical migration and settlement patterns of families living in Northern England during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gant
A nickname for a person who was gaunt or thin.
This name
GantleyA locational or descriptive surname likely referring to a thin person from Ghent.
also spelled
Gauntlet
Gauntlett
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Archive: Parish Registers of St. Michael le Belfrey
Collins, Francis, The Registers of St. Michael le Belfrey, York, 1899
York City Archives, York House Books, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
gauntletA challenge given and the readiness to meet it
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
gauntletA challenge given and the readiness to meet it
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
