A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gaven family of England.
Reg. 6074 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Erm. on a saltire engr. az. five fleurs-de-lis or”
WiltsWilts, c. 1620
Where the Gaven Arms Were Recorded
Wilts
Map of England showing where the Gaven arms are recorded
The Gaven arms were recorded in Wilts, c. 1620.
Wiltshire was sheep country, and wool made money steadily for hundreds of years. Families who made it bought manors on the downs, and holding a manor 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Gaven 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 Wilts.
Origin & History of the Gaven Family in England
The surname Gaven is deeply rooted in the history of Wiltshire, where members of the family were firmly established by the early seventeenth century. During this period, the name was often associated with families living in rural parishes, where they worked as farmers or tradespeople within the local community. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots, possibly serving as a variant of names derived from early personal titles or geographic locations. By 1620, the Gaven family had become a recognized part of the social fabric in Wiltshire, participating in the daily life and administrative duties of their home villages. Their presence in these records suggests a family that was stable and well-integrated into the regional economy of southern England during the transition into the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gawain
A Welsh name of uncertain origin, possibly meaning hawk of battle.
This name
GavenA medieval English surname derived from the Arthurian knight, signifying a noble or heroic warrior.
also spelled
Gavin
Gavenne
Gavine
Related arms
Gavinevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Wiltshire Parish Registers, 1620
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
