A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gorges family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 6937 · Belgian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Losangé d'or et d'azur; au chev. de gu., br. sur le tout. C.: une tête de lévrier d'arg., coll. d'une jumelle de gu.”
Belgiumc. 1620
Where the Gorges Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Gorges arms are recorded
The Gorges arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Philip III of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip III of Spain
1598–1621
Reigning in Belgium when the Gorges arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Gorges Family in Belgium
The history of the Gorges family in the region of Brabant begins to emerge clearly in the early seventeenth century. By 1620, members of the family were established residents within this influential duchy, which served as a central hub for trade and politics in the Low Countries. During this period, the name was closely tied to the shifting social structures of the region, as families often navigated the complex religious and political tensions between the northern and southern provinces. The Gorges name appears in local administrative records from this time, suggesting that the family held a stable position within the urban or rural communities of Brabant. These early ancestors likely contributed to the local economy and participated in the civic life of their towns, helping to root the family name in the history of the region long before later migrations occurred.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un gouffre d'azur.”
Britainc. 1700
Where the Gorges Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Gorges arms are recorded
The Gorges arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
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.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Belgium when the Gorges 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 Gorges Family in Britain
The Gorges family name has deep roots in the history of Britain, with its origins tracing back to the arrival of the Normans in the eleventh century. The name is believed to be locational, derived from the village of Gorges in the Cotentin Peninsula of Normandy. After the Norman Conquest, members of the family settled in various parts of England, gradually establishing themselves as landowners and local figures of influence. By the time the family was documented in Kent during the early 1700s, they were part of a long tradition of families who had integrated into English society over several centuries. Throughout this period, the Gorges name appeared in various legal and land records, reflecting their steady presence in the social fabric of the English countryside. Their history is a clear example of how families moved and adapted across the landscape of Britain over many generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 gurges (or whirlpool) az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gorges Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gorges arms are recorded
The Gorges 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 Belgium when the Gorges 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 Gorges Family in England
The Gorges family name has deep roots in English history, tracing its origins to the arrival of Norman settlers who brought the name from the Cotentin Peninsula in France. By the time the family became established in England, they were recognized as members of the landed gentry with significant influence in regional affairs. Records show that by 1620, members of the family were active in the city of York, where they participated in the social and political life of the northern capital. This period was a time of great transition for the family, as they balanced their traditional roles as local landowners with the growing opportunities found in England’s expanding urban centers. Their presence in York highlights how the family successfully adapted to new environments while maintaining their status across different generations. Through their involvement in local governance and trade, the Gorges family helped shape the development of the communities they called home during the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Georgios
Derived from the Greek word for a farmer or earth worker.
This name
GorgesA locative or occupational surname referring to someone who worked the land or lived near a gorge.
also spelled
Gorgis
Related arms
Gorgysvariant spelling
Murphyrecorded with Gorges, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), Registers van de Raad van Brabant
City Archives of Leuven (Stadsarchief Leuven), Stadsrekeningen van Leuven
Cuvelier, Joseph, Les dénombrements de foyers en Brabant (XIVe-XVIe siècle), 1912
Van Uytven, Raymond, De geschiedenis van Leuven: van de vroegste tijden tot het einde van de 18e eeuw, 1980
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
