Map of England showing where the Wingate arms are recorded
The Wingate arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1620.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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 Wingate 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Wingate Family in England
The surname Wingate is of English origin and is classified as a locational name, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place. The name is derived from the Old English words "wind" and "geat," which together translate to "windy gate" or "windy gap." This likely referred to a mountain pass or a narrow opening in the landscape where the wind blew strongly. By the early 17th century, members of the Wingate family were well-established in the county of Surrey. During this period, families often moved from rural areas to growing towns to seek new opportunities in trade or agriculture. The presence of the family in Surrey by 1620 suggests they were part of the local community during a time of significant social and economic change in England. As the family grew, they spread across different regions, carrying the name forward through generations of farmers, tradespeople, and local citizens.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wind-geat
Old English for winding path or passage through a gate.
This name
WingateRefers to someone who lived near a winding road or a narrow mountain pass.
also spelled
Wyngate
Wingatt
Wyngatt
Related arms
Wyngatevariant spelling
Blundellrecorded with Wingate, same area
Jenningsrecorded with Wingate, same area
Pearserecorded with Wingate, same area
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
Surrey History Centre, Surrey Quarter Sessions Records, QS2/1
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
