Map of England showing where the Gunstone arms are recorded
The Gunstone arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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 Gunstone 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Gunstone Family in England
The family name Gunstone is deeply rooted in the landscape of Devon, England, where records confirm the family was well-established by the early seventeenth century. The name itself is likely topographical in origin, derived from Old English terms describing a stony or rocky settlement, which reflects the rugged terrain of the West Country. During the 1600s, families in this region were often connected to the land through farming or local trades, and the name would have served as a way to identify individuals based on their specific home or village. As the family grew, they became a part of the local social fabric, participating in parish life and contributing to the development of Devon’s rural communities. By 1620, the name was already a recognized part of the regional identity, marking the beginning of a long history for the family in the southwest of England.
Gunstone Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Gunn-stain
Old Norse elements meaning battle and stone.
This name
GunstoneA habitational name referring to a dweller by a stone associated with a battle or warrior.
also spelled
Gonstun
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A., and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Devon, 1931
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1600–1650
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
