A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gauntt family of Britain.
Reg. 9498 · Britain, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Fascé d'or et d'azur, de six ou de huit pièces; à la bande de gu., br. sur le tout. C.: une anille au nat.; ou: une croix pattée au pied fiché de sa.”
Britainc. 1297
Where the Gauntt Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Gauntt arms are recorded
The Gauntt arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1297.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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.
Edward I of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward I of England
1272–1307
Reigning in Britain when the Gauntt 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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Gauntt Family in Britain
The family name Gauntt traces its roots to the medieval period in England, with historical records placing members of the family in the county of Kent as early as 1297. The name is believed to be a locative or descriptive surname, likely originating from the Old French word "gant," which means glove. During the thirteenth century, surnames were becoming increasingly common as a way to distinguish individuals in growing communities. Families often adopted names based on their trade, a specific physical trait, or the place where they lived. By establishing themselves in Kent, the early Gauntts were part of a region known for its strong agricultural economy and its proximity to the trade routes leading toward London. Over the following centuries, the family name evolved in spelling as it spread across different regions, yet it remained tied to these early English foundations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gant
Derived from the Old French word for a glove or gauntlet.
This name
GaunttAn occupational name for a maker or seller of gloves.
also spelled
Gaunte
Gauntt
Gont
Gant
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Subsidy Roll for the County of Kent, 1297 (E 179/123/10)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
