Map of England showing where the Goranson arms are recorded
The Goranson arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1369.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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.
Edward III of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward III of England
1327–1377
Reigning in England when the Goranson 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Goranson Family in England
The surname Goranson is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of a man named Goran. While the name is most commonly associated with Scandinavian roots, historical records confirm that individuals bearing this name were established in the English county of Kent as early as 1369. During the fourteenth century, England was undergoing significant social changes following the Black Death, which allowed families to move more freely and settle in new regions. The presence of the Goranson family in Kent during this period suggests they were likely part of the growing merchant or landholding class that emerged as the feudal system began to shift. By maintaining their name across generations, these early ancestors helped preserve a link to their specific lineage while integrating into the local community of medieval England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Goran
A Slavic diminutive form of George meaning earth worker or farmer.
This name
GoransonA patronymic surname indicating the son of a man named Goran.
also spelled
Gransoun
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
The National Archives, Calendar of the Patent Rolls, Edward III, 1367–1370
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
