A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gerten family of England.
Reg. 6109 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
Colours
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)
“Gu. twelve billets, five, four, two, and one, a chief indented or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gerten Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gerten arms are recorded
The Gerten 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 Gerten 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 Gerten Family in England
The surname Gerten is rooted in the linguistic traditions of Northern Europe, where it likely emerged as a descriptive name or a variation of ancient Germanic given names. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Gerten family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the skilled crafts or merchant guilds that defined the city’s economy. As the family settled into this urban environment, they became part of the social fabric of Northern England, navigating the significant political and religious shifts of the seventeenth century. Over time, the name persisted through generations, reflecting the steady migration and integration of families who contributed to the local history of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerard
Derived from the Germanic elements meaning spear and hardy or brave.
This name
GertenA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person bearing the name Gerard.
also spelled
Gerten
Girtone
Gyrton
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
