A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gasper family of England.
Reg. 1334 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a star within a crescent or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gasper Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gasper arms are recorded
The Gasper 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 Gasper 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 Gasper Family in England
The surname Gasper finds its roots in the ancient name Jasper, which originated from the Persian word for a treasurer. By the early seventeenth century, members of the Gasper family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Living in a major northern hub like York suggests that these early ancestors were likely involved in the city’s thriving trade, craft guilds, or local administration. During the 1620s, York was a center of significant social and religious change, and families residing there often played active roles in the local parish life and the bustling marketplace economy. Over generations, the spelling of the name evolved from its original form to the version used today, reflecting the way names were recorded by clerks based on local pronunciation. This transition from a title of status to a permanent family name highlights the family’s integration into the social fabric of northern England during a period of great national development.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kaspar
A Persian word meaning treasurer or keeper of the treasure.
This name
GasperAn English variant of a name traditionally associated with one of the biblical Magi.
also spelled
Gasper
Gaspard
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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
