Map of Wales showing where the Gauld arms are recorded
The Gauld arms were recorded in Glamorgan, c. 1647.
Glamorgan was the richest part of Wales, with good coastal farmland and Norman castles along it. The families who held those castles kept their land for centuries, and long holding brought recorded 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Gauld arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Glamorgan.
Origin & History of the Gauld Family in Wales
The history of the Gauld family in Wales is deeply rooted in the coastal landscape of Glamorgan, where records confirm their presence as early as 1647. During this period, the region was undergoing significant social and economic shifts as local families navigated the transition from traditional agrarian life to the early stages of industrial development. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname, possibly referring to a person’s physical traits or their status within the local community. By settling in Glamorgan, the early Gauld family members became part of a vibrant Welsh culture that valued strong ties to the land and local parish networks. These early ancestors lived through a time of great political change in Britain, yet they maintained a consistent presence in the region, helping to shape the local identity of southern Wales through their participation in daily trade and community governance.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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)
“Per saltire az. and or, a lion ramp. counterchanged”
MiddlesexDorchester · Middlesex, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Gauld arms are recorded
The Gauld arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1620.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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 Wales when the Gauld 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Gauld Family in England
The family name Gauld has deep roots in the English landscape, with historical records confirming that members of the family were established in the county of Middlesex by the year 1620. During this period, the name was often associated with individuals living in the bustling areas surrounding London, where the family likely participated in the local trade and agricultural life of the seventeenth century. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older descriptive terms, potentially linked to physical traits or regional origins that were common in medieval naming conventions. As the family settled into Middlesex, they became part of the shifting social fabric of early modern England, navigating a time of significant economic growth and migration. By tracing their presence to this specific region and era, we can see that the Gauld family was already an active part of the local community long before the expansion of the British Empire.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, a lion ramp. gu”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Gauld arms are recorded
The Gauld arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Gauld arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Gauld Family in Ireland
The surname Gauld has a distinct history in Ireland, particularly within the urban environment of Dublin during the mid-seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were established residents of the city, a time when Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political transition. The name likely arrived in Ireland through migration patterns from Scotland or northern England, as it shares linguistic roots with the Old Norse word *galli*, which was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person from a foreign land. As these early settlers integrated into the Irish capital, they became part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that defined the city’s social fabric. Over the following decades, the family name became more deeply rooted in the local community, reflecting the broader movement of people across the Irish Sea during a period of significant regional change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gallus
Latin term meaning a person from Gaul or a cockerel.
This name
GauldA locative or descriptive surname historically denoting someone of Gallic origin or a stranger.
also spelled
Gold
Golde
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Glamorgan Archives, Quarter Sessions Records of the County of Glamorgan, 1647
Jones, Francis, The Princes and Principality of Wales, 1969
Williams, Glanmor, Glamorgan County History: Early Modern Glamorgan, 1974
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
