A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gilham family of England.
Reg. 8475 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. a savage gu. holding a club over the shoulder vert”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gilham Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gilham arms are recorded
The Gilham 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 Gilham 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 Gilham Family in England
The surname Gilham is rooted in the linguistic traditions of medieval England, where it likely evolved as a patronymic name derived from the personal name William. Over many generations, the prefix "Gil" or "Gille" became attached to the name, possibly as a way to distinguish specific branches of a family or to signify a servant of someone named William. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Gilham family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that these early ancestors were likely involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled craft industries that defined the city’s economy. As they settled into the urban landscape of northern England, the family name became a permanent fixture in local parish registers, documenting their growth and integration into the social fabric of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Guillaume
A Germanic name composed of elements meaning will, desire, and helmet.
This name
GilhamDerived from the Old French form of William, signifying a resolute protector or helmeted warrior.
also spelled
Gylham
Gyllham
Related arms
Gillamvariant spelling
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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knightChivalry and service in arms
knightChivalry and service in arms
