Map of Britain showing where the Gore arms are recorded
The Gore arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1621.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
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 Britain in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Britain when the Gore arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Gore Family in Britain
The family name Gore is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, originating as a topographical surname for people who lived near a triangular piece of land. In Old English, the word "gara" referred to a pointed strip of earth or a wedge-shaped field, and families often adopted this term to distinguish themselves based on their local geography. By the early 17th century, the name was well-established in the county of Kent, where records confirm the presence of family members by 1621. During this period, the Gores were typically part of the yeomanry or the landed gentry, often working as farmers or local landowners who played active roles in their parish communities. Their history reflects the broader movement of English families who built their identities around the specific soil and regions they cultivated for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. a fess betw. three crosses crosslet or”
EssexEssex, c. 1587
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Map of England showing where the Gore arms are recorded
The Gore arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1587.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Britain when the Gore 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Gore Family in England
The surname Gore is a topographical name, which means it was originally given to people based on the physical features of the land where they lived. In Old English, the word "gara" referred to a triangular or wedge-shaped piece of land, often located at the corner of a larger field or where two boundaries met. By the time the family was firmly established in Essex in 1587, the name had become a permanent way to identify households that resided on these specific plots of ground. During this period, the Gore family lived as part of the local agrarian society in southeastern England. They were likely involved in the traditional farming practices that defined the English countryside, with their family identity tied directly to the geography of their ancestral home. As the name passed down through generations, it transitioned from a simple description of a field into a lasting family legacy that persisted long after the original land boundaries had changed.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. a fesse betw. three crosses crosslet fitchée or”
DonegalManor Gore · Donegal, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Gore arms are recorded
The Gore arms were recorded in Donegal, c. 1645.
Donegal was remote north-western Irish country of mountain and coast. Its land was poor and its families few, but those who held ground held it for a very long time.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Britain when the Gore arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Donegal.
Origin & History of the Gore Family in Ireland
The history of the Gore family in Ireland is closely tied to the period of plantation and settlement during the seventeenth century. By 1645, members of the family were firmly established in County Donegal, a region that was undergoing significant social and political changes at the time. The family arrived in Ireland from England, eventually becoming prominent landowners who played an active role in the local administration and military life of the province of Ulster. Their presence in Donegal reflects the broader movement of settlers who moved to the north of Ireland to establish new estates and communities. Over the following decades, the family expanded their influence across the country, securing their position within the Irish landed gentry through strategic marriages and government service. This early period in Donegal served as the foundation for the family's long-standing connection to Irish history and their eventual development into a notable political dynasty.
Gore Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Gara
Old English word meaning a triangular piece of land or spear.
This name
GoreA topographic name for someone who lived on a triangular strip of land or a wedge-shaped field.
also spelled
Gower
Related arms
Gowervariant spelling
Combemartinrecorded with Gore, same area
Jamesrecorded with Gore, same area
Skinnertonrecorded with Gore, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Kent Archives, Canterbury Cathedral Archives: Parish Registers of Kent, 1621
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
