A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gloster family of England.
Reg. 3493 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
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)
“Gu. two bends or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gloster Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gloster arms are recorded
The Gloster 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 Gloster 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 Gloster Family in England
The surname Gloster is a topographic name that originated in England, specifically derived from the historic city of Gloucester. During the medieval period, people often adopted names based on the towns where they lived or worked, and those who moved away from the city were frequently identified by their place of origin. By the early 17th century, the family had established a presence in the northern city of York. Records confirm that members of the Gloster family were living in York by 1620, suggesting they had migrated from the west of England to the north to pursue new opportunities in trade or industry. This movement was common during the Stuart era as families sought to build lives in growing urban centers that served as hubs for commerce and regional administration.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Glevum
A Latin name for a Roman settlement or bright place.
This name
GlosterDerived from the city of Gloucester, referring to a fortified Roman settlement.
also spelled
Glowcester
Gloster
Gloucestre
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
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
