A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gillam family of England.
Reg. 4670 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. on a chev. or, betw. three dolphins embowed ppr. as many bowers vert”
EssexEssex, c. 1620
Where the Gillam Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Gillam arms are recorded
The Gillam arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Gillam 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Gillam Family in England
The surname Gillam is a variation of the name William, which originated as a popular given name brought to England by the Normans. Over several centuries, the name evolved through various spellings as it transitioned from a first name into a hereditary family surname. By the early 17th century, the Gillam family was firmly established in the county of Essex. During this period, the family lived in a region defined by agricultural traditions and growing trade connections to nearby London. Many individuals with this name worked as skilled laborers or farmers, contributing to the local economy of the English countryside. As the 1620s approached, members of the family were part of a society that was increasingly looking toward the Atlantic, leading some to eventually seek new opportunities in the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Guillaume
A Germanic name composed of elements meaning will and helmet.
This name
GillamA patronymic form derived from the Old French version of William.
also spelled
Gillham
Gilham
Gyllam
Related arms
Gilham, or Gillhamvariant spelling
Gillumvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Quarter Sessions Records, 1620
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
