A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gatty family of England.
Reg. 5590 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
legStrength and swiftness
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. two shinbones in saltire betw. four fleurs-de-lis or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gatty Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gatty arms are recorded
The Gatty 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 Gatty 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 Gatty Family in England
The surname Gatty is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname or a locational name in medieval England. It likely stems from the Middle English word "gat," which referred to a gate or a narrow passage, suggesting that early ancestors may have lived near a town gate or a specific path. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Gatty family were living in York by 1620, a time when the city was a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local community, likely working in the various crafts and mercantile industries that defined York’s economy during the Stuart period. This early settlement in such a prominent city helped the family establish roots that would eventually spread across the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gatte
Old French term for a cat or a nickname for a cat-like person.
This name
GattyA medieval occupational or descriptive nickname derived from the Old French word for a cat.
also spelled
Gattie
Gattey
Gatte
Related arms
Gattie, Gattey, or Gattyvariant spelling
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
legStrength and swiftness
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
legStrength and swiftness
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
