A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gwilt family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6321 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au lion de sa.; au chef denché du même, ch. de trois flanchis d'or.”
FranceNew-York, c. 1725
Where the Gwilt Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Gwilt arms are recorded
The Gwilt arms were recorded in New-York, c. 1725.
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 Gwilt 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 Gwilt Family in France
The history of the Gwilt family in France is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of the Brittany region during the early eighteenth century. By 1725, records confirm that members of the family were established within this coastal province, a territory known for its distinct linguistic traditions and strong maritime connections. While the name itself carries linguistic roots often associated with broader European migration patterns, its presence in Brittany suggests that the family integrated into a society defined by a mix of rural agriculture and trade. During this period, families in Brittany often lived in tight-knit communities where local parish records served as the primary way to track their movements and occupations. The Gwilt family likely navigated the social shifts of the French provinces during the reign of Louis XV, maintaining their presence in the region as they adapted to the local customs and economic life of the Breton countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Per pale gu. and az. on a chev. embattled betw. three estoiles or, as many lozenges sa”
Walesc. 1647
Where the Gwilt Arms Were Recorded
Denbigh
Map of Wales showing where the Gwilt arms are recorded
The Gwilt arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Gwilt arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Wales.
Origin & History of the Gwilt Family in Wales
The surname Gwilt is deeply rooted in the linguistic and social landscape of North Wales, where it likely emerged as a descriptive nickname. In the Welsh language, the word *gwyllt* translates to wild, fierce, or untamed, suggesting that the name was originally bestowed upon an ancestor known for a spirited or bold personality. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the market town of Denbigh. Records from 1647 confirm that members of the Gwilt family were active participants in the local community during a period of significant political upheaval in Britain. As the family settled into the region, they became part of the local fabric of Denbighshire, transitioning from a descriptive label into a fixed hereditary surname that persisted through generations of Welsh history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gwilym
A Welsh form of the Germanic name William meaning resolute protector.
This name
GwiltA surname derived from a diminutive or variant of the name William.
also spelled
Gwillt
Gwylt
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Rennes)
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E (État civil et registres paroissiaux)
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Meyer, Jean, La noblesse bretonne au XVIIIe siècle, 1966
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
