A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gatfield family of England.
Reg. 0928 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Barry of six or and gu. on a canton erm. a cross of the second”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gatfield Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gatfield arms are recorded
The Gatfield 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 Gatfield 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 Gatfield Family in England
The surname Gatfield is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a gate or an opening in a forest. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Gatfield family were living within this northern hub, a time when the city was a major center for trade and religious administration. During this period, families often took their names from the specific parcels of land they occupied or the local landmarks near their homes. As the Gatfields settled in York, they became part of the local community fabric, contributing to the growth and daily life of one of England’s oldest and most significant urban centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Geat and feld
Old English for a member of the Geat tribe and open land.
This name
GatfieldRefers to a person who lived on or near a clearing associated with the Geat people.
also spelled
Gatfeild
Gatfelde
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cross symbolChristian faith and service
