A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gravatt family of England.
Reg. 9799 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
wolfReward from long service and hard work
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. a fesse embattled erm. (another, pean) betw. three wolves' heads erased ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gravatt Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gravatt arms are recorded
The Gravatt 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 Gravatt 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 Gravatt Family in England
The Gravatt family name is rooted in the landscape of northern England, specifically within the historic city of York. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established residents in this region, which was then a major center for trade and religious life. The name itself is thought to be topographical, likely derived from the Old French word "grave," which referred to a grove or a wooded area. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name were people who lived near a prominent thicket or a small forest. As York grew into a bustling hub during the early seventeenth century, families like the Gravatts contributed to the local community through various trades and civic duties. Their presence in the city during this era places them among the generations who witnessed the significant social and political shifts that defined England before the outbreak of the Civil War.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
grave
A trench, pit, or burial site derived from Old English graef.
This name
GravattA topographic name for someone who lived near a ditch, trench, or burial mound.
also spelled
Gravet
Gravett
Related arms
Gravettvariant spelling
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 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
wolfReward from long service and hard work
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
wolfReward from long service and hard work
