A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Guilliam family of England.
Reg. 0058 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
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. on a chev. sa. betw. three dolphins naiant embowed ppr. as many towers of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Guilliam Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Guilliam arms are recorded
The Guilliam 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 Guilliam 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 Guilliam Family in England
The surname Guilliam is a variant of the name William, which traces its roots back to the Germanic name Wilhelm, meaning resolute protector. By the time the family was established in York in 1620, the name had evolved through centuries of linguistic shifts in England and France. During the early seventeenth century, families in Northern England often lived in tight-knit communities where names were passed down through generations to preserve their heritage. The presence of the Guilliam family in York suggests they were part of a period of significant urban growth, as the city served as a major center for trade and administration in the North. Over time, the spelling of the name became more standardized as literacy rates improved and local record-keeping became more formal. This transition from oral tradition to written documentation helped solidify the family identity within the historical landscape of Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wilhelm
A Germanic name composed of elements meaning will, desire, and helmet, protection.
This name
GuilliamA patronymic surname derived from the personal name William, signifying resolute protector.
also spelled
Guilliam
Gwillam
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
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
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
