Map of England showing where the Gwyther arms are recorded
The Gwyther 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 Gwyther 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 Gwyther Family in England
The surname Gwyther is primarily associated with Welsh origins, likely derived from the personal name Gwytherin or related to the Old Welsh word for a warrior. While the name is deeply rooted in the history of Pembrokeshire, members of the family had migrated to northern England by the early seventeenth century. Records confirm that Gwyther family members were established in the city of York by 1620, a period when the city served as a vital hub for trade and administration in the north. During this era, families often moved to urban centers like York to pursue new professional opportunities in crafts or commerce. This relocation suggests that the Gwyther family was part of a broader trend of internal migration that helped shape the social landscape of England during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gwythyr
A figure from Welsh mythology derived from the word for wood.
This name
GwytherA patronymic surname originating from the Welsh personal name Gwythyr.
also spelled
Wither
Withers
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Charles W. Bardsley, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Patrick Hanks and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames, 1988
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
