A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goldsbrough family of England.
Reg. 7902 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. three pales gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Goldsbrough Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Goldsbrough arms are recorded
The Goldsbrough 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 Goldsbrough 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 Goldsbrough Family in England
The surname Goldsbrough originates from a place name in North Yorkshire, specifically a village located near Knaresborough. The name is derived from Old English words that translate to a fortification or stronghold belonging to a person named Gold. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the city of York, where records from 1620 confirm their residence. During this period, families with this name were often involved in the local trade and civic life of the region. As the family grew, they moved beyond their original village roots to become integrated into the urban society of York, contributing to the local economy and community during a time of significant social change in Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Goldesburgh
A fortified place or manor belonging to a person named Gold.
This name
GoldsbroughDerived from a locative surname referring to a specific settlement in North Yorkshire.
also spelled
Goldsborough
Goldesburgh
Related arms
Goldesborough, or Goldesbroughvariant spelling
Goldesburghvariant spelling
Goldsborough, and Goldbroughvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Smith, A. H., The Place-Names of the West Riding of Yorkshire, 1961
Bardsley, C. W., A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
