A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gruffydd family of England.
Reg. 7771 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
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 chev. sa. betw. three Cornish choughs of the last, beaked and membered gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gruffydd Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gruffydd arms are recorded
The Gruffydd 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 Gruffydd 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 Gruffydd Family in England
The name Gruffydd is a traditional Welsh personal name that eventually evolved into a hereditary surname. It is derived from the Old Welsh elements "grif," meaning strong or fierce, and "udd," which translates to lord or chief. While the name originated in Wales, families carrying this identity moved across the border into England over many centuries. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Gruffydd family were established in the city of York. During this period, families often migrated to major northern trade hubs like York to pursue new economic opportunities in commerce and craftsmanship. This transition from a Welsh patronymic naming system to a fixed English surname reflects the broader historical movement of families seeking to integrate into the changing social landscape of seventeenth-century Britain.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gruffudd
Derived from the Old Welsh elements for strong lord or chief.
This name
GruffyddA traditional Welsh name interpreted as a strong or fierce prince or leader.
also spelled
Griffith
Gruffydd
Griffyth
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Morgan, T. J. and Morgan, P., Welsh Surnames, 1985
Reaney, P. H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I
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
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
