A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Guilford family of England.
Reg. 0803 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 lion pass. betw. three fleurs-de-lis ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Guilford Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Guilford arms are recorded
The Guilford 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 Guilford 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 Guilford Family in England
The surname Guilford is a locative name, meaning it was originally derived from a specific place rather than a trade or personal characteristic. It is widely believed to originate from the town of Guildford in Surrey, England, where the name was first recorded in the medieval period. By the year 1620, members of the Guilford family had established a notable presence in the city of York. During this era, families often moved toward major urban centers like York to pursue opportunities in trade, law, or administration. As the family settled in northern England, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the growth and history of the region during the early seventeenth century. This migration reflects the broader movement of English families who sought to build new lives away from their ancestral homes while maintaining the identity provided by their historic surname.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
gylde ford
Old English for golden river crossing or guild ford.
This name
GuilfordA habitational name derived from a river crossing associated with a guild or golden-colored water.
also spelled
Guildford
Gulford
Gilford
Related arms
Gilfordvariant spelling
Gulford, or Guldefordvariant 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, 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.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
