Map of England showing where the Goran arms are recorded
The Goran 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 Goran 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 Goran Family in England
The history of the Goran family name is deeply rooted in the social landscape of seventeenth-century England. Records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of York by 1620, a time when the city served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration. The name itself is thought to have evolved from older regional dialects, likely functioning as a descriptive surname that identified individuals by their place of origin or specific personal traits. During this period, families in York often lived in close-knit neighborhoods near the city walls or the Minster, participating in the local guilds and civic life that defined the era. As the family grew, they became part of the steady movement of people who helped shape the cultural character of Yorkshire. Their presence in early modern records provides a clear window into the lives of ordinary citizens who navigated the changing political and economic conditions of the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Goran
Derived from the Slavic word gora meaning mountain or hill.
This name
GoranA name signifying a mountain man or someone who dwells on a hill.
also spelled
Gorren
Gorrin
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
York City Archives. York City House Books. 1602–1625
Palliser, D.M. Tudor York. 1979
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
