A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gillson family of Ireland.
Reg. 2588 · Irish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Vert on a pale ar. betw. two annulets or, a pile gu”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Gillson Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Gillson arms are recorded
The Gillson arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Gillson arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Gillson Family in Ireland
The family name Gillson has roots that connect to the complex social landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin, a city that served as a major hub for trade and administration during a period of significant political upheaval. The name itself is likely a patronymic, meaning it was formed by combining the name Gill, which is often derived from the Old Norse word for a servant or a devotee, with the suffix son. This naming pattern suggests that the family’s ancestors may have been part of the cultural exchange between Viking settlers and local populations in the British Isles centuries earlier. As these individuals settled in Dublin, they became part of a growing urban class that navigated the shifting loyalties and economic changes of the mid-1600s. Their presence in the city during this era indicates that they were likely involved in the professional or merchant circles that defined Dublin life at the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Giolla
An Irish term meaning a servant, devotee, or follower.
This name
GillsonDerived from the son of a devotee of Saint John.
also spelled
Gyllson
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
