Map of England showing where the Gater arms are recorded
The Gater 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 Gater 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 Gater Family in England
The surname Gater is rooted in the occupational traditions of medieval England, likely originating as a descriptive name for someone who lived near a gate or served as a gatekeeper. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Gater family were active residents in this region during a time of significant social and economic change. As the city served as a major hub for trade and administration in Northern England, families like the Gaters often integrated into the local parish life and urban economy. Their presence in York during this period suggests they were part of the growing class of citizens who helped shape the city’s identity before the onset of the English Civil War.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gate
An opening or passage in a wall or fence.
This name
GaterAn occupational name for a gatekeeper or someone who lived near a town gate.
also spelled
Goter
Gottar
Gotor
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
