A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goss family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1801 · German, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'or à la bande losangée de gu. et d'arg. de trois tires. Cq. cour. C.: une banderole losangée de gu. et d'arg., entre un vol aux armes de l'écu.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1765
Where the Goss Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Goss arms are recorded
The Goss arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1765.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Goss arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Goss Family in Germany
The family name Goss has deep roots in the southern German region of Bavaria, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1765. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a shortened form of a longer Germanic given name, reflecting the common practice of identifying individuals by their personal traits or local community roles during the Middle Ages. In the eighteenth century, Bavaria was a landscape defined by small agricultural villages and tight-knit parish communities, where families like the Gosses were often tied to the land and local trades. As the region moved through the Enlightenment era, these families played a part in the steady growth of rural society, maintaining records through church registers that tracked births, marriages, and deaths. By the time the 1765 records appear, the family was already well-integrated into the social fabric of the Bavarian countryside, contributing to the local economy and the cultural development of their specific districts.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. nine mullets in saltire gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Goss Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Goss arms are recorded
The Goss 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 Germany when the Goss 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 Goss Family in England
The surname Goss has deep roots in the English landscape, emerging as a descriptive name during the Middle Ages. It likely originated as a nickname derived from the Old French word "gos," which means goose, and was often used to describe someone with a waddling gait or a talkative nature. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 show members of the family living in this northern hub, a time when York was a bustling center of trade and religious importance. Families like the Gosses were part of the growing urban population that helped shape the social and economic life of the city during the reign of King James I. Their presence in such a prominent location suggests they were well-integrated into the local community, contributing to the daily life and craftsmanship that defined the region during that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Goz
An ancient Germanic short form of names containing the element god.
This name
GossA nickname for a person with a goose-like appearance or a goose herder.
also spelled
Gosse
Goz
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, General-Landes-Direktion, Akten der kurfürstlichen Regierung
Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst, Handbuch der bayerischen Geschichte, 1974
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
