A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gost family of England.
Reg. 2735 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Erm. on a pile sa. three pheons or”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Gost Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Gost arms are recorded
The Gost arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Gost 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 Gost Family in England
The family name Gost appears in the historical landscape of London during the early seventeenth century, a time of significant social and economic change in England. By 1620, individuals bearing this surname were established residents within the city, navigating the bustling urban environment of the Stuart era. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or descriptive terms common in medieval England, though it evolved into a distinct identifier for families living in the capital. These early members of the Gost family likely participated in the vibrant trade and craft guilds that defined London life, contributing to the growth of the city as a global center of commerce. While the records from this period are often fragmented, the presence of the name in parish registers and legal documents confirms that the family was well-integrated into the local community long before the expansion of the British Empire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gost
Derived from the Old English word for guest or stranger.
This name
GostA surname historically used to describe a visitor or a newcomer to a community.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
London Metropolitan Archives, St. Dunstan in the East Parish Registers, P69/DUN/A/001/MS07857
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, PROB 11/136
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
