A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gerberg family of England.
Reg. 8053 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 chief gu. three lozenges or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gerberg Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gerberg arms are recorded
The Gerberg 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 Gerberg 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 Gerberg Family in England
The name Gerberg is rooted in Germanic linguistic traditions, likely originating from a combination of words meaning spear and protection or fortress. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the historic city of York in Northern England. During this period, York was a significant hub for trade and craftsmanship, suggesting that early ancestors were likely involved in the local merchant guilds or skilled manual labor common to the city’s economy. As the family settled into this urban environment, they became part of the social fabric of a city that had served as a center of power since the Roman era. Their presence in York during the early seventeenth century indicates that they were part of the steady migration patterns that shaped Northern English communities during the transition into the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerberg
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and fortress or protection.
This name
GerbergA locational or habitational name referring to a fortified settlement protected by a spearman.
also spelled
Gerburg
Gerburgh
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Palliser, D. M., Tudor York, 1979
York City Archives, York House Books, 1620
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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
