A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gwynne family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6170 · Welsh, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 fesse or, betw. two swords, the one in chief pointing upwards, the one in base downwards, blades ar. hilts and pommels of the second”
BreconTrecastle · Brecon, c. 1647
Where the Gwynne Arms Were Recorded
Brecon
Map of Wales showing where the Gwynne arms are recorded
The Gwynne arms were recorded in Brecon, c. 1647.
Brecon was mid-Welsh hill country, held in small estates by families who stayed for generations. Land was worth less than in the lowlands, but holding it still brought 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 Wales when the Gwynne 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 Brecon.
Origin & History of the Gwynne Family in Wales
The surname Gwynne originates from the Welsh word *gwyn*, which translates to white, fair, or blessed. In the context of early Welsh naming traditions, this descriptor was often used as a nickname to distinguish individuals by their physical appearance or character before hereditary surnames became standard. By the mid-seventeenth century, the name had become firmly established among the landed gentry of Breconshire. Records from 1647 confirm that members of the Gwynne family were prominent figures in the local administration and social life of Brecon during this period. As the family grew in influence, they became deeply integrated into the political and agricultural landscape of the region, often serving as local magistrates or landowners who helped shape the development of the Welsh Marches. This transition from a descriptive nickname to a formal family name reflects the broader shift in Welsh society as families sought to solidify their status and identity within their communities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 bend lozengy ar. and gu”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Gwynne Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Gwynne arms are recorded
The Gwynne arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms 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 Wales when the Gwynne 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 Ireland.
Origin & History of the Gwynne Family in Ireland
The family name Gwynne has deep roots in the history of Ireland, particularly within the bustling urban environment of seventeenth-century Dublin. By 1645, members of the Gwynne family were already established as active participants in the city's social and economic life. The name itself is of Welsh origin, derived from the word gwyn, which means white, fair, or blessed. As families migrated across the Irish Sea, they brought this linguistic heritage into the Irish landscape, where it eventually blended with local traditions. During this period, Dublin was a center of trade and political change, and the presence of the Gwynne family suggests they were likely involved in the professional or merchant classes that helped define the city during the mid-1600s. Over time, the family became a part of the diverse cultural fabric of Ireland, transitioning from their origins as newcomers to becoming a recognized name in the historical records of the capital.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
gwyn
A Welsh adjective meaning white, fair, or blessed.
This name
GwynneDerived from a descriptive nickname for someone with a fair complexion or white hair.
also spelled
Gwinn
Gwin
Gwine
Gwyn
Related arms
Gwinevariant spelling
Gwynvariant spelling
Edwardsrecorded with Gwynne, same area
Lloydrecorded with Gwynne, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Morgan, Prys. Enwau Lleoedd. 1973
Jones, Theophilus. A History of the County of Brecknock. 1805
National Library of Wales, Gwynne of Glanbrân Estate Records
Powys County Archives, Brecon Borough Records
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
swordJustice, and military honour
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
swordJustice, and military honour
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
