A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gove family of England.
Reg. 6464 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
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 cross lozengy betw. four eagles displ. sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gove Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gove arms are recorded
The Gove 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 Gove 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 Gove Family in England
The surname Gove is believed to have originated in England, where it likely served as a descriptive name for someone who lived near a grove or a wooded area. By the early seventeenth century, members of the Gove family were well-established in the region of York. Historical records indicate that individuals bearing this name were present in the area by 1620, a time when many families were beginning to look toward the American colonies for new opportunities. These early Goves were often involved in local trade and agriculture, contributing to the steady development of their communities. As the family grew, they maintained a strong presence in the historical records of the region, reflecting the typical patterns of migration and settlement seen in northern England during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gofa
An Old English personal name meaning foolish or simple.
This name
GoveA topographic name for someone who lived near a grove or a small wooded area.
also spelled
Govey
Gowve
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
The National Archives (UK), Probate records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
