A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gorrin family of England.
Reg. 0048 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
swordJustice, and military honour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 sword in pale az. hilt and pommel or, surmounted on the top by a mullet gu. over all a saltire couped sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gorrin Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gorrin arms are recorded
The Gorrin 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 Gorrin 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 Gorrin Family in England
The family name Gorrin carries a history deeply rooted in the northern English landscape, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, providing a stable environment for families to establish their roots. The name likely evolved from regional dialects or occupational descriptions common to the area during the late medieval and early modern periods. As residents of a historic walled city, early members of the Gorrin family were positioned at the center of a changing society that was transitioning from traditional guild systems toward broader commercial growth. By settling in such a prominent urban center, these early ancestors helped weave the name into the local fabric of York, where it remained a part of the city’s demographic history for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gore
A triangular piece of land or a muddy, triangular-shaped plot.
This name
GorrinA habitational name for someone who lived on or near a triangular piece of land.
also spelled
Gorren
Gorrin
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Palliser, D.M., Tudor York, 1979
Raine, Angelo, Medieval York: A Topographical Survey Based on Original Sources, 1955
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
