A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gillham family of England.
Reg. 1873 · 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 Gillham Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Gillham arms are recorded
The Gillham 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 Gillham 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 Gillham Family in England
The family name Gillham is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, specifically emerging as a locative surname derived from a place of residence. The name is believed to originate from a combination of Old English terms, likely referring to a valley or a stream associated with a person named Gilla. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Essex. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Gillham family were active participants in the local community during this period of significant social and economic change. As the family grew, they integrated into the rural life of the English countryside, contributing to the development of the region through agriculture and local trade. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who settled in specific English shires and maintained deep ties to their local geography for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Guillaume
Old French form of William meaning resolute protector or helmeted warrior.
This name
GillhamDerived from a locative place name meaning the homestead or enclosure of William.
also spelled
Gillham
Gilham
Gyllam
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 Rolls, Q/SR 230/1-50, 1620
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
