A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gott family of England.
Reg. 8304 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
bordureA difference between branches of one family
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 saltire ar. and sa. a bordure counterchanged”
SussexBattel · Sussex, c. 1620
Where the Gott Arms Were Recorded
Sussex
Map of England showing where the Gott arms are recorded
The Gott arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1620.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic records.
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 Gott 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 Sussex.
Origin & History of the Gott Family in England
The surname Gott is primarily of English origin and carries a history rooted in the medieval period. It is often classified as a nickname surname, likely derived from the Middle English word "got," which referred to a goat. In early society, such names were sometimes given to individuals who possessed traits associated with the animal, such as agility or a stubborn nature. By the time the family was firmly established in Sussex during the early seventeenth century, they had become part of the local social fabric. Records from 1620 show that members of the Gott family were active participants in the regional life of southern England. During this era, families with this name were often involved in agriculture or local trade, helping to shape the rural communities of the Sussex countryside. Over many generations, the name remained tied to these southern counties, reflecting the steady and localized growth of the family line.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
God
Old English term for a deity or divine being.
This name
GottA nickname for a person considered to be good or pious.
Related arms
Bakerrecorded with Gott, same area
Hayerecorded with Gott, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Sussex Quarter Sessions Records, Q/S
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
bordureA difference between branches of one family
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
bordureA difference between branches of one family
