A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gissing family of England.
Reg. 3170 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ar. on a bend az. three eagles displ. reguard. or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gissing Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gissing arms are recorded
The Gissing arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them 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.
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 Gissing 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 England.
Origin & History of the Gissing Family in England
The surname Gissing is a locative name, which means it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the village of Gissing in Norfolk, England, where the family likely established its roots during the medieval period. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family had migrated north to the city of York. Records confirm their presence in this historic northern hub by 1620, suggesting that the family was part of the movement of people seeking new opportunities in growing urban centers during the reign of King James I. While many families remained tied to their ancestral villages for generations, the Gissings were among those who expanded their reach across the English landscape, eventually becoming well-established residents of York.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gis
Derived from the Old Germanic word for a hostage or pledge.
This name
GissingRefers to the descendants or people belonging to the family of a person named Gis.
also spelled
Gyssing
Gissin
Gyssinge
Related arms
Gyssinge, Gyslyng, or Gymsyingvariant spelling
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
