A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gill family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9163 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur au lion cour., supp. de sa patte dextre une étoile, le tout d'or; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à une fleur-de-lis de gu. C.: un vol à l'antique, l'aile de derrière coupée d'or sur azur; l'aile de devant coupée d'arg. sur gu. et ch. d'une fleur-de-lis de l'un en l'autre. L.: à dextre d'or et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Gill arms are recorded
The Gill arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Gill arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Gill Family in Germany
The surname Gill has deep roots in the historical landscape of Bavaria, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1765. In the German context, the name often functioned as a short form of names beginning with "Gisel," which relates to the Old High German word for a pledge or a hostage. During the eighteenth century, families in the Bavarian region were typically tied to the land through agriculture or specialized local trades. Life for the Gill family at this time was defined by the strict social structures of the Holy Roman Empire, where individuals were often identified by their village of origin or their specific occupation within the community. As the family navigated the shifting borders and political changes of the era, they remained part of the foundational population that helped shape the cultural identity of southern Germany.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. on a bend sa. three mullets pierced of the field, on a canton az. a lion pass. ar”
EnglandLondon, c. 1506
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Map of England showing where the Gill arms are recorded
The Gill arms were recorded in London, c. 1506.
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.
Henry VII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VII of England
1485–1509
Reigning in Germany when the Gill 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 Gill Family in England
The surname Gill has deep roots in England, emerging as a patronymic name derived from the medieval nickname for William, which was Gill or Gille. By the early 16th century, the family had established a notable presence in London, as evidenced by records from 1506. During this period, the name was often associated with individuals living near a "ghyll" or "gill," which is an Old Norse term for a narrow mountain ravine or stream. As the family grew, members moved from rural areas into the bustling urban environment of London, where they integrated into the city’s expanding trade and merchant classes. This transition from the countryside to the capital helped the name spread across different social strata, cementing its place in English history long before the modern era.
Gill Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Aegidius
Derived from the Greek word for a shield or goatskin.
This name
GillA diminutive form of the name Giles, historically used as a patronymic or occupational identifier.
also spelled
Gil
Gyll
Gylle
Gylles
Related arms
Gyllsimilar arms
Harhunsimilar arms
Manaton, or Manningtonsimilar arms
Gilvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
