A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gully family of England.
Reg. 7550 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
horseReadiness to serve king and country
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. a chev. gu. betw. three crosses crosslet sa., for GULLY; 2nd and 3rd, ar. three nags' heads erased sa. a chief gu., for SLADE, quartering also POWNE, CORYN, &c”
CornwallCornwall, c. 1620
Where the Gully Arms Were Recorded
Cornwall
Map of England showing where the Gully arms are recorded
The Gully arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what brought arms with it.
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 Gully 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 Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Gully Family in England
The family name Gully has deep roots in the rugged landscape of Cornwall, where records confirm members of the family were established by the early seventeenth century. The name is believed to be topographic in origin, likely derived from the Middle English word "gully," which referred to a narrow ravine or a small water channel. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to bear the name may have lived near such a geographical feature, using it as a way to identify their home or farmstead. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of Cornish life, often working in the trades or agricultural roles that defined the region during the 1600s. By settling in this distinct corner of England, the Gully family became part of a long tradition of families who took their surnames from the natural beauty and unique terrain of their surroundings.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gula
A Latin term referring to the throat or gullet.
This name
GullyA topographical surname for someone who lived near a narrow channel, ravine, or watercourse.
also spelled
Gullie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Padel, O.J., A Popular Dictionary of Cornish Place-Names, 1988
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Cornwall Archives, Parish Registers of Cornwall, 1620
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
horseReadiness to serve king and country
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
horseReadiness to serve king and country
