A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gerton family of England.
Reg. 8027 · 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 Gerton Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gerton arms are recorded
The Gerton 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 Gerton 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 Gerton Family in England
The name Gerton is rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with distinct ties to the city of York by the early seventeenth century. During this period, families bearing this name were established within the city walls, likely participating in the local trade and civic life that defined York as a major regional hub. The name itself is thought to be a topographic or locational surname, potentially derived from early settlers who lived near a specific enclosure or farmstead. By 1620, records indicate that the Gerton family was already integrated into the social fabric of the region, living through a time of significant religious and political transition in Yorkshire. Their presence in the city suggests they were part of the growing urban middle class that helped sustain the local economy during the late Renaissance era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ger-tun
Old English elements meaning spear and enclosed settlement or farmstead.
This name
GertonRefers to a person who lived at or near a farmstead protected by a spear.
also spelled
Gerten
Girtone
Gyrton
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
Collins, Francis. Register of the Freemen of the City of York from the City Records. 1897
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains’ Accounts, Series CC
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
