Map of England showing where the Glyde arms are recorded
The Glyde arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
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 Glyde 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 Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Glyde Family in England
The surname Glyde is deeply rooted in the historic city of Gloucester, where members of the family were firmly established by the early seventeenth century. The name likely originated as a topographical descriptor, referring to individuals who lived near a specific path, slope, or "glide" of land. By 1620, the Glydes were active participants in the local community, living during a period of significant social and economic transition in England. As residents of a major cathedral city and trade hub, early family members were often involved in the local merchant classes or skilled trades that supported the regional economy. Their presence in Gloucester records from this era suggests a stable, long-standing lineage that helped shape the local landscape before many descendants eventually moved toward the West Country or across the Atlantic.
Glyde Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Gled
An Old English term referring to a bird of prey or kite.
This name
GlydeA topographic name for someone who lived near a place frequented by kites.
also spelled
Glide
Related arms
Sheppardsimilar arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucester City Records: Burgess Rolls and Apprentice Registers, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic: James I, 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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
