A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gillum family of England.
Reg. 4342 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
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 hauriant ppr. as many castles”
NorthumberlandMiddleton Hall · Northumberland, c. 1620
Where the Gillum Arms Were Recorded
Northumberland
Map of England showing where the Gillum arms are recorded
The Gillum arms were recorded in Northumberland, c. 1620.
Northumberland was border country facing Scotland, raided and fought over for three hundred years. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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 Gillum 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 Northumberland.
Origin & History of the Gillum Family in England
The surname Gillum is believed to have roots in the northern regions of England, where families often lived in small, tight-knit communities. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Gillum family were well-established in Northumberland. During this period, the northern borderlands were defined by a rugged landscape and a history of frequent movement between England and Scotland. Families in this area often worked in agriculture or trade, relying on the support of their kin to survive the harsh winters and the political instability of the border region. As the 17th century progressed, some members of these families began to look toward the Atlantic, eventually participating in the early migrations to the American colonies. This transition marked a significant shift for the family, as they moved from the ancient, rolling hills of Northumberland to help build new settlements in a changing world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Guillaume
A Germanic name composed of elements meaning will, desire, and helmet.
This name
GillumAn English patronymic surname derived from a diminutive form of William, meaning resolute protector.
also spelled
Gillam
Gilliam
Gillem
Related arms
Gillamvariant spelling
Rotherfordrecorded with Gillum, same area
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
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
