A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gatton family of Britain.
Reg. 7463 · Britain, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au lion d'arg., cour. d'or; au chef du même, ch. de trois choucas au nat. C.: un dragon ailé d'or, la patte dextre appuyée sur un écusson de gu. D.: SOLA BONA QUÆ HONESTA.”
SurreySurrey, c. 1700
Where the Gatton Arms Were Recorded
Surrey
Map of Britain showing where the Gatton arms are recorded
The Gatton arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1700.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Gatton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Gatton Family in Britain
The surname Gatton is a locative name, meaning it was originally derived from a specific place rather than an occupation or a personal trait. Historical records confirm that the family was well-established in the county of Surrey by the year 1700, particularly in the parish of Gatton. The name itself is believed to originate from Old English roots, likely combining a personal name with the word "tun," which refers to an enclosed settlement or village. Because the family was tied to this specific land, they were often identified by their home village as they moved or interacted with legal authorities. Over several centuries, the name transitioned from a description of where a person lived to a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations of residents in the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gatton
Derived from Old English words for goat and farmstead or enclosure.
This name
GattonRefers to a settlement or farmstead where goats were kept or raised.
also spelled
Colebrook
Gatton
Colebrook de Gaton
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A., and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Surrey, 1934
Surrey History Centre, Parish registers for Gatton, Surrey, 1598–1900
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
