A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gethin family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5236 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
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)
“Per fesse sa. and ar. a lion ramp. counterchanged”
SalopSalop, c. 1620
Where the Gethin Arms Were Recorded
Salop
Map of England showing where the Gethin arms are recorded
The Gethin arms were recorded in Salop, c. 1620.
Shropshire lay on the Welsh border, and border country needed men who could fight. Families held their land in return for service, and service in arms is what a coat of arms was originally for.
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 Gethin 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 Salop.
Origin & History of the Gethin Family in England
The surname Gethin finds its roots in the Welsh language, originating from the word *gethin*, which translates to dark or swarthy. While the name is deeply tied to Welsh heritage, historical records confirm that members of the family had established themselves in the English county of Salop, also known as Shropshire, by the early seventeenth century. During this period, the border region between England and Wales served as a melting pot for families moving between the two nations for trade and land ownership. By 1620, the Gethin family was well-integrated into the local community of Salop, reflecting a broader trend of Welsh families settling into English administrative and social structures. Their presence in this specific region suggests that they were part of a steady migration pattern that helped bridge the cultural and linguistic gaps between the Welsh highlands and the English midlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Vert a stag saliant ar. armed or”
CorkGethinsgrott · Cork, c. 1645
Where the Gethin Arms Were Recorded
Cork
Map of Ireland showing where the Gethin arms are recorded
The Gethin arms were recorded in Cork, c. 1645.
Cork was the largest county in Ireland, with a great harbour and a wide farming hinterland. Both English settlers and older Irish families held land there, and holding land is what brought a family into the records.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Gethin arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cork.
Origin & History of the Gethin Family in Ireland
The Gethin family name has deep roots in the history of Ireland, particularly within the southern region of County Cork. By 1645, members of the Gethin family were well-established in the area, often associated with the political and social shifts occurring during the mid-seventeenth century. The name itself is of Welsh origin, derived from the word "gethin," which means dark or swarthy. When these families migrated to Ireland, they integrated into the local landed society and took on roles in administration and military leadership. Their presence in Cork during the 1640s placed them in the middle of a turbulent period of Irish history, where they navigated the complex land ownership changes and political conflicts of the time. Over the following generations, the family became a fixture in the local community, leaving a lasting mark on the regional history of Munster through their involvement in civic and agricultural life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gethin
Derived from the Welsh word for dark or swarthy.
This name
GethinA Welsh descriptive surname referring to someone with a dark complexion or dark hair.
also spelled
Gethyn
Related arms
Gethynvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Charles Wareing Endell Bardsley, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
P.H. Reaney and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Probate records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1620
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
