A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Godbolt family of England.
Reg. 5310 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
Colours
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)
“Az. two bows strung in saltire or”
EssexHatfield · Essex, c. 1620
Where the Godbolt Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Godbolt arms are recorded
The Godbolt arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Godbolt 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Godbolt Family in England
The surname Godbolt is of ancient Germanic origin, derived from the Old English elements "god," meaning good, and "bolt," which often referred to a dwelling or a bold spirit. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Essex, England. Historical documents confirm that members of the Godbolt family were living in this region by 1620, where they were likely involved in the local agricultural and trade economies that defined rural life at the time. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social fabric of East Anglia, often appearing in parish registers and local land records. This period of history was marked by significant social change, and the Godbolts were among the many families who helped shape the local communities of Essex through their work and daily lives.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Godbald
Derived from the Germanic elements for god and bold or brave.
This name
GodboltA surname of Old German origin signifying a bold or courageous person.
also spelled
Godbolt
Godbald
Godbalt
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Parish Registers of Essex, 1620
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
