A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gilman family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9418 · Austrian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti d'azur et d'or; à un homme barbu pass., br. sur le tout, hab. de l'un en l'autre, coiffé d'un bonnet pointu, retr. de l'un en l'autre, tenant de sa main dextre une fleur-de-lis d'or, la sen. appuyée sur sa hanche. C.: l'homme, iss.”
TyrolTyrol, c. 1772
Where the Gilman Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Gilman arms are recorded
The Gilman arms were recorded in Tyrol, c. 1772.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Gilman Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Gilman arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Tyrol.
Origin & History of the Gilman Family in Austria
The history of the Gilman name in Austria is deeply rooted in the rugged terrain of the Tyrol region. By 1772, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents in this mountainous area. During this period, the family likely lived as part of the local agrarian society, navigating the unique challenges of life in the Eastern Alps. The name itself reflects the linguistic traditions of the region, where families were often identified by their trade, their specific village, or their ancestral roots. As the family settled into the valleys of Tyrol, they became part of the long-standing cultural fabric of the Austrian Empire. Their presence in the late eighteenth century suggests a stable life built on farming or local craftsmanship, which allowed them to maintain their identity across generations in the heart of Europe.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
legStrength and swiftness
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. a man's leg couped at the thigh in pale sa”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1620
Where the Gilman Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Gilman arms are recorded
The Gilman arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Austria when the Gilman 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Gilman Family in England
The surname Gilman has deep roots in the English landscape, particularly within the county of Norfolk where the family was well established by the early seventeenth century. The name is generally considered a patronymic, meaning it evolved from a descriptive term used to identify a person as the servant or follower of a man named Gill, which was a common nickname for William. During the Middle Ages, as populations grew and villages expanded, families began adopting these hereditary surnames to distinguish themselves from neighbors with the same first name. By the time members of the Gilman family were documented in Norfolk in 1620, they were part of a long tradition of English families who had transitioned from using simple identifiers to permanent family names. This period was a time of significant social change, and the presence of the family in Norfolk suggests they were likely part of the industrious middle class that helped shape the local economy and community life in East Anglia.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gisil
A Germanic term meaning hostage or pledge.
This name
GilmanDerived from a nickname for a servant or associate of a hostage.
also spelled
Gillman
Gylman
Gyllman
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
knightChivalry and service in arms
knightChivalry and service in arms
legStrength and swiftness
