A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Geldart family of England.
Reg. 1892 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Vert a lion ramp. reguard. and ducally crowned or, betw. three arrows of the last”
CambridgeCambridge, c. 1620
Where the Geldart Arms Were Recorded
Cambridge
Map of England showing where the Geldart arms are recorded
The Geldart arms were recorded in Cambridge, c. 1620.
Cambridgeshire was flat, rich farming country with the university at its centre. Fen drainage made new land and new fortunes, and families who gained by it bought manors and took arms to match.
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 Geldart 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 Cambridge.
Origin & History of the Geldart Family in England
The family name Geldart is rooted in the northern regions of England, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person who possessed great wealth or a sharp mind for business. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the academic and professional circles of Cambridge. Records from 1620 show that these individuals were integrated into the local community, often participating in the intellectual life surrounding the university. Over time, the family name became associated with legal and scholarly pursuits, reflecting a transition from local trade to the professional classes. This early history suggests that the Geldarts were a family of rising social standing who valued education and civic participation in the bustling environment of East Anglia.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Geld-hard
Derived from Old Germanic elements meaning money or payment and brave.
This name
GeldartA surname originating from a nickname for a person who was brave with money.
also spelled
Geldert
Geldard
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
University of Cambridge, Alumni Cantabrigienses: A Biographical List of All Known Students, Graduates and Holders of Office at the University of Cambridge, from the Earliest Times to 1751, 1922
Cambridgeshire Archives, Bishop's Transcripts for the Diocese of Ely, 1620
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
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
lionCourage, strength and royalty
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
