A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gea family of England.
Reg. 1598 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. a sword in bend ar. hilt and pommel or”
LeicesterRathley · Leicester, c. 1619
Where the Gea Arms Were Recorded
Leicester
Map of England showing where the Gea arms are recorded
The Gea arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1619.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into the registers.
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 Gea 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 Leicester.
Origin & History of the Gea Family in England
The family name Gea has deep roots in the English Midlands, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Leicester as early as 1619. During the seventeenth century, Leicester was a bustling market town that served as a center for trade and local governance. Families living in this region often worked in agriculture, weaving, or local commerce, which allowed them to establish a firm presence within the community. The name itself likely evolved from local dialects or regional naming customs common in the East Midlands during the late Renaissance period. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Leicestershire, contributing to the development of the area through their daily labor and civic participation. By remaining in the same geographic region for generations, the early Gea family helped preserve their history within the local parish records and community archives that still exist today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gaia
The ancient Greek personification of the Earth and mother of all.
This name
GeaAn English topographic surname denoting someone who lived near or on earth-based land.
also spelled
Gey
Gea
Ghee
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Leicestershire Record Office, Records of the Archdeaconry of Leicester: Wills and Administrations, 1619
Nichols, John, The History and Antiquities of the County of Leicester, 1795
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swordJustice, and military honour
swordJustice, and military honour
