A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gresham family of England.
Reg. 6553 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Counter-ermine (Ermines)Means: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 chev. ermines betw. three mullets sa. pierced of the field, on a chief or, a cinquefoil (in picture a trefoil slipped) az. betw. two hinds' heads erased sa. about their necks a bar gemelle ar. on each erasure a bezant langued gu”
Englandc. 1537
Where the Gresham Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gresham arms are recorded
The Gresham arms were recorded in England, c. 1537.
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.
Henry VIII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VIII of England
1509–1547
Reigning in England when the Gresham 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 Gresham Family in England
The Gresham family name is rooted in the landscape of England, specifically originating from a village of the same name in Norfolk. The name itself is derived from Old English words meaning a grassy enclosure or a pasture where pigs were kept. By the time the family established a notable presence in York in 1537, they had already transitioned from their rural origins into influential roles within trade and commerce. During this era, members of the family were becoming prominent figures in the City of London, often serving as wealthy merchants and advisors to the crown. Their migration from the countryside to major urban centers allowed them to build significant financial networks that defined their status during the sixteenth century. This shift from local landowners to powerful merchant elites highlights how the family successfully adapted to the changing economic landscape of Tudor England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gres-ham
Derived from Old English words for grass or grazing and homestead.
This name
GreshamA habitational name referring to a settlement located on grassy land.
also spelled
Grysham
Related arms
Batesrecorded with Gresham, same area
Brownerecorded with Gresham, same area
Garbridgerecorded with Gresham, same area
Gerbridgerecorded with Gresham, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Burgon, John William. The Life and Times of Sir Thomas Gresham. 1839
The National Archives. State Papers Domestic, Henry VIII. 1537
Ward, Joseph P. Metropolitan Communities: Trade Guilds, Identity, and Change in Early Modern London. 1997
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
