A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gedney family of England.
Reg. 3553 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ar. two fishes in saltire az”
LincolnEnderby · Lincoln, c. 1620
Where the Gedney Arms Were Recorded
Lincoln
Map of England showing where the Gedney arms are recorded
The Gedney arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Gedney 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Gedney Family in England
The surname Gedney is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the village of Gedney in the county of Lincolnshire, England. The name itself is believed to have Old English roots, likely combining a personal name with the suffix "ey," which refers to an island or a piece of land surrounded by marshes. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the region, with records confirming their presence in Lincoln by 1620. During this period, the family was part of the growing middle class in East Anglia, a region known for its strong ties to the English Reformation and the later migration to the American colonies. The name remained closely tied to the geography of Lincolnshire for generations, reflecting the common practice of families adopting the names of the towns where they held land or lived as tenants.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gedda
An Old English personal name derived from a Germanic tribal identifier.
This name
GedneyRefers to the island or dry land belonging to a man named Gedda.
also spelled
Gednie
Gednay
Gedny
Gedne
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. 1960
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
