Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. a cross betw. four demi lions ramp. couped gu”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goulding family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. a cross betw. four demi lions ramp. couped gu”

The Goulding arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
The Goulding family name has a long and documented history in Ireland, particularly within the urban landscape of Dublin. By the year 1645, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents of the city. The name itself is thought to be an anglicized version of older Gaelic surnames, or it may have arrived in Ireland through trade and migration from England during the medieval period. As the family settled into Dublin life during the seventeenth century, they became part of the growing merchant and professional classes that defined the capital. Over time, the family spread from the city center into the surrounding counties, leaving a mark on local records through property deeds, legal documents, and parish registers. Their presence in Dublin during this era suggests that they were well-integrated into the social and economic structures of the time, helping to shape the history of the region for generations to come.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. a cross voided betw. four lions pass. gu”

The Goulding arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1672.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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.
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.
The surname Goulding is an ancient English name that likely originated as a patronymic, meaning it was used to identify someone as the son or descendant of a person named Gold. This name was often associated with individuals who possessed golden hair or a bright, cheerful personality. By the time the family was firmly established in the county of Kent during the late 17th century, the name had already been in use for several generations across various parts of England. Families living in Kent in 1672 were often part of a thriving agricultural and maritime economy, as the region served as a vital gateway for trade and travel between London and the European continent. During this period, the Goulding family would have been deeply integrated into the local parish system, which tracked births, marriages, and deaths to maintain order in the community. Their presence in Kent reflects the broader movement of families who settled in the fertile lands of southeastern England to build stable lives and contribute to the local workforce.
A precious yellow metallic element associated with wealth and brightness.