Map of England showing where the Giffin arms are recorded
The Giffin 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 Giffin 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 Giffin Family in England
The surname Giffin is rooted in the Gaelic language, likely evolving from the name O’Gibealláin, which was historically found in parts of Ireland. As families migrated and settled in new regions, the spelling often shifted to match the sounds used in local dialects. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Giffin family were well-established in the city of York, England. During this period, York served as a major northern hub for trade and administration, making it a common destination for families moving across the British Isles. These early settlers were often involved in the local merchant guilds or agricultural trades that defined the economy of the seventeenth century. Over time, the name became a permanent fixture in the region, reflecting the broader patterns of movement and cultural blending that shaped English family histories.
Giffin Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Gruffudd
A Welsh name derived from elements meaning strong lord or prince.
This name
GiffinA patronymic surname originating from the Welsh personal name Griffith, signifying son of the strong lord.
also spelled
Giffins
Giffin
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
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
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
