Map of England showing where the Gotto arms are recorded
The Gotto 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 Gotto 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 Gotto Family in England
The Gotto family name has deep roots in the coastal county of Sussex, where records confirm members of the family were well-established by the year 1620. During the seventeenth century, Sussex was a region defined by its agricultural output and its proximity to the English Channel, which influenced the daily lives and occupations of local families. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic patterns common to southern England, potentially serving as a descriptive label for early ancestors who lived or worked in specific rural landscapes. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local parish systems, which were the primary way that communities tracked births, marriages, and deaths during this period. By remaining in the same region for generations, the Gotto family contributed to the long-term social history of Sussex, reflecting the steady and quiet persistence of families who helped build the foundations of English village life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Goda
Old English term meaning good or god.
This name
GottoA patronymic surname derived from the personal name Goda, signifying a descendant of the good one.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
West Sussex Record Office, Parish Registers of Sussex, 1620
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
