A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gilstrap family of England.
Reg. 9353 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 chev. engr. vert betw. in chief two escutcheons gu. each charged with a galtrap of the field, and in base a talbot's head erased of the third”
SuffolkFornham Park · Suffolk, c. 1620
Where the Gilstrap Arms Were Recorded
Suffolk
Map of England showing where the Gilstrap arms are recorded
The Gilstrap arms were recorded in Suffolk, c. 1620.
Suffolk was wool country, and its cloth towns were among the wealthiest in England. Clothier families bought manors with their profits, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of 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.
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 Gilstrap 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 Suffolk.
Origin & History of the Gilstrap Family in England
The family name Gilstrap is believed to have originated in England, with historical records confirming that members of the family were settled in the county of Suffolk by the year 1620. The name likely developed as a descriptive nickname or a locational identifier during the Middle Ages. In the linguistic context of the time, such names often evolved from Old English or Old Norse roots that described a person’s trade, physical traits, or the specific area where they lived. By the early 17th century, the Gilstrap family had established roots in East Anglia, a region known for its agricultural prosperity and active trade ports. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric of Suffolk, eventually contributing to the migration patterns that would later see the name spread across the Atlantic to the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gildestrap
Old Norse and Old English terms for golden and a path or strap.
This name
GilstrapA locational surname likely referring to someone living near a golden-colored path or boundary.
also spelled
Gylstrap
Gilstrappe
Gylstrappe
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Suffolk Archdeaconry Court Wills, 1620
Suffolk Archives, Parish Register Transcripts for Suffolk, 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
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
