A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goulston family of England.
Reg. 7446 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
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)
“Ar. a fess betw. three pellets”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Goulston Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Goulston arms are recorded
The Goulston 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 England when the Goulston 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 Goulston Family in England
The Goulston family name is rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with confirmed records placing members of the family in the city of York by the year 1620. The name likely originated as a locational surname, which was a common practice in medieval England where individuals were identified by the village or geographic feature near their home. It is probable that the name evolved from an Old English place name, possibly referring to a specific gold-colored stone or a settlement near a golden-hued stream. As the family established themselves in York during the early seventeenth century, they became part of the city’s vibrant mercantile and social life. During this period, York served as a major regional hub, and the Goulston family would have been witnesses to the significant political and religious shifts that defined the era. By settling in such a prominent urban center, the family secured a place in the local records that allows us to trace their presence back four centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gold-stan
Old English elements meaning gold and stone.
This name
GoulstonA locational surname derived from a place name meaning the golden stone or gold-colored rock.
also spelled
Golston
Golstone
Related arms
Brokesbyrecorded with Goulston, same area
Draperrecorded with Goulston, same area
Harterecorded with Goulston, same area
Hudsonrecorded with Goulston, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
