A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Geoffrey family of England.
Reg. 4333 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Erm. on a canton ar. a saltire engr. sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Geoffrey Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Geoffrey arms are recorded
The Geoffrey arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Geoffrey 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 England.
Origin & History of the Geoffrey Family in England
The name Geoffrey originated as a given name of Germanic roots, likely brought to England by the Normans after the conquest of 1066. It evolved from the Old Germanic name Gaufrid, which combines elements meaning territory or district and peace. Over several centuries, the name became popular throughout England and eventually transitioned from a first name into a hereditary surname. By the time members of the family were documented in York in 1620, the name had been established in the region for generations. During the early seventeenth century, families in northern England often lived in close-knit communities where names were passed down to preserve ancestral identity. The presence of the family in York during this period suggests they were part of the growing urban population that helped shape the city’s trade and local governance during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Godafrid
Derived from Germanic elements meaning god and peace.
This name
GeoffreyA name signifying peace granted by God or a divinely protected individual.
also spelled
Jeffrey
Geffrey
Joffrey
Related arms
Jeffreyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
