A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gomm family of England.
Reg. 5485 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. a lion ramp. sa. on a chief gu. two seaxes (i.e. Saxon swords) in saltire of the first, hilts and pommels or”
MiddlesexClerkenwell · Middlesex, c. 1761
Where the Gomm Arms Were Recorded
Middlesex
Map of England showing where the Gomm arms are recorded
The Gomm arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1761.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in England when the Gomm 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Gomm Family in England
The surname Gomm is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive name or a locational identifier. While the exact roots of the name are debated by historians, it likely evolved from Old English terms related to a person’s character or their place of residence. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Middlesex, which was a central hub for trade and administration near London. Records from 1761 confirm that members of the Gomm family were active in this region during a period of significant social and industrial growth. These early ancestors were often involved in local commerce and civic life, helping to build the family’s reputation within the bustling environment of the English capital. Over time, the family name became firmly rooted in the local history of the area, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and settlement that defined the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gom
A Germanic personal name derived from the word for man.
This name
GommA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Gom or Goma.
also spelled
Gome
Related arms
Cropleyrecorded with Gomm, same area
Longrecorded with Gomm, same area
Webbrecorded with Gomm, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1761
London Metropolitan Archives, Middlesex Parish Registers, 1761
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
