A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gosnell family of England.
Reg. 2575 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Per pale crenellée or and az. two fleurs-de-lis of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gosnell Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gosnell arms are recorded
The Gosnell 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 Gosnell 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 Gosnell Family in England
The surname Gosnell is rooted in the linguistic traditions of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic or habitational name. It is believed to be derived from a combination of Old English terms, possibly referencing a small valley or a specific stream associated with a family’s early homestead. By the early 17th century, the name was firmly established in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Gosnell family were active residents there by 1620, living within a community defined by its ancient walls and bustling trade guilds. During this period, families with this name were often integrated into the local social fabric, contributing to the growth and daily life of northern English society as the country moved toward a new era of exploration and change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Goz
A Germanic personal name derived from the word for Goth.
This name
GosnellA diminutive form indicating a descendant or son of a person named Goz.
also spelled
Gosnell
Gosnill
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York, Archbishop of York Diocesan Records
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paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
