Map of France showing where the Gupton arms are recorded
The Gupton arms were recorded in France, c. 1766.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Gupton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Gupton Family in France
The roots of the Gupton name in France are deeply connected to the rugged landscape and distinct culture of the Bretagne region. By the year 1766, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established within the local communities of this northwestern province. During this period, Bretagne was a place defined by its strong maritime traditions and a unique social structure that differed from the rest of the French kingdom. Families like the Guptons often lived in small, tight-knit rural parishes where life revolved around the agricultural cycles and the Catholic Church. Because the region maintained a degree of autonomy for centuries, the people there developed a resilient identity that influenced how families recorded their names and histories. The presence of the Gupton name in these 18th-century records suggests that they were part of the hardworking population that sustained the local economy through farming and regional trade. While the name may have evolved in spelling over time, its early history remains tied to the specific traditions of the Breton people during the final decades of the French monarchy.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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
Map of England showing where the Gupton arms are recorded
The Gupton arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1226.
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.
Henry III of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry III of England
1216–1272
Reigning in France when the Gupton 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 Gupton Family in England
The surname Gupton finds its historical roots in the rolling landscapes of Devon, England, where the family was established as early as 1226. The name is classified as a locative surname, which means it was likely derived from a specific place or small settlement known as Gupton. In medieval England, people often took the name of their home village or estate to distinguish themselves from others in the growing population. During the thirteenth century, the Gupton family lived as part of the local rural society in the West Country, likely working the land or participating in the regional economy of Devon. Over the centuries, the name remained tied to this southwestern region, reflecting the deep connections that families of that era maintained with their local geography and community life.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. a cross moline ar”
LouthClyde Court · Louth, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Gupton arms are recorded
The Gupton arms were recorded in Louth, c. 1645.
Louth is the smallest Irish county but sat on the road north from Dublin. Norman families took it early, held it under arms, and stayed, which is what put their shields on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Gupton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Louth.
Origin & History of the Gupton Family in Ireland
The history of the Gupton family in Ireland is closely tied to the turbulent landscape of County Louth during the mid-seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were established in this region, which served as a strategic gateway between Dublin and the north. During this period, Louth was a focal point of intense political and military activity due to the ongoing Irish Confederate Wars. Families living in this area often faced significant upheaval as land ownership shifted and local power structures were reorganized by changing colonial administrations. The presence of the Gupton name in Louth during this era suggests that they were part of a community navigating the complex social transitions of the time. Their survival and continued presence in the region reflect the resilience of families who maintained their roots despite the widespread displacement and economic instability that defined seventeenth-century Ireland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gup
Derived from the Old French word goupe meaning a fox.
This name
GuptonA topographic or habitational name referring to someone who lived near a fox den.
also spelled
Uptoun
Uptun
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Archives judiciaires de l'Ancien Régime)
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E (Familles, notaires et corporations)
Galllouédec, M., Histoire de la Bretagne, 1923
Le Moyne de La Borderie, A., Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
