A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Godshall family of England.
Reg. 0543 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Or, a cross patonce sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Godshall Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Godshall arms are recorded
The Godshall 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 Godshall 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 Godshall Family in England
The surname Godshall is rooted in the Old English language, likely originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a specific piece of land or a religious site. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England. Families living there often worked as skilled tradespeople or merchants who contributed to the local economy. As the name evolved over the centuries, it moved from these northern roots toward other parts of England and eventually across the Atlantic. The history of the name reflects the movement of people who sought new opportunities while maintaining their ancestral identity through their family title.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
God-scealc
Old English elements meaning god or good and servant or attendant.
This name
GodshallA servant or attendant of God, often denoting a pious individual or church official.
also spelled
Godshall
Godschale
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
The National Archives, Probate Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1620
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
