A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gunner family of England.
Reg. 0686 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 saltire ar. guttée de sang”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gunner Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gunner arms are recorded
The Gunner 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 Gunner 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 Gunner Family in England
The surname Gunner originates from the Old Norse name Gunnarr, which combines the elements for war and warrior. By the time the name became established in England, it functioned as both a personal name and a descriptive occupational title for someone who operated artillery or siege engines. Historical records confirm that members of the Gunner family were present in the city of York by 1620, a period when the city served as a vital northern administrative and religious hub. These early settlers likely integrated into the local trade guilds or agricultural communities that defined life in Yorkshire during the seventeenth century. As the name evolved from a title into a hereditary surname, it reflected the transition from a society defined by military roles to one structured around family lineages and local community standing.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gunnarr
Old Norse name composed of elements meaning battle and warrior.
This name
GunnerAn occupational surname for a soldier or a warrior.
also spelled
Gunnar
Gunnare
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, York City Archives: House Books, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
