A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Guttridge family of England.
Reg. 7250 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
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)
“Ar. a cross gu. betw. four mullets pierced sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Guttridge Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Guttridge arms are recorded
The Guttridge 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 Guttridge 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 Guttridge Family in England
The name Guttridge is a topographical surname that likely originated from individuals who lived near a specific water feature or a small channel. In Middle English, the term often referred to a "gutter" or a narrow watercourse, suggesting that the earliest ancestors were identified by their proximity to such a landmark. By the year 1620, records confirm that the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families living there were often involved in local commerce or skilled craftsmanship. As the name spread through northern England, it evolved in spelling, yet it remained tethered to the geographic identity of those early residents who first settled along the city’s ancient streets and waterways.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Godrich
Old English elements meaning god and powerful or ruler.
This name
GuttridgeA locational or patronymic surname derived from the personal name Godrich, signifying a powerful ruler.
also spelled
Guttridge
Gutteredge
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
