Gilstrap Family Crest

Creation - 28 JULY 1887

Arms - Argent (silver) a chevron engrailed vert (green) between in chief two escutcheons gules (red), each charged with a galtrap of the field, and in base a talbot's head erased of the third.

Crest - A cubit arm erect in armour proper, grasping an escutcheon gules (red), charged with a galtrap argent (silver).

Motto - Candide secure. (Frankly and Fearlessly)

Seat - Fornham Park, Bury St. Edmonds; North Gate, Newark-on-Trent.

Club - Wellington.

• The arm in armour signifies an able soldier.
• The chevron represents the rafter of the gables of a house and shows protection of the defenseless. It is a mark of honor or rank in military service.
• Engrailed (scalloped) signifies wealth and affluence.
• The tablot is one of the breed of white-collared, quick-scenting hunting dogs with lon, pendulous ears. It signifies a great hunter and sportsman usually among the aristocracy or nobility.
• The galtrap was an iron instrument made to annoy an enemy's calvary. It was formed of iron, being four spikes conjoined in such a manner that one was always upwards. It is found in many ancient coats of arms and has a military significance.
• The meaning of the colors: Silver - purity and constancy; green - hope and optimism; red - military fortitude

Sir William Gilstrap, Baronet of Fornham, St. Genevieve, co. Suffolk, and Newark-on-Trent, co. Nottingham, so created 1887, J. P., D. L. High Sheriff co. Suffolk 1866, b. 20 DEC 1816; m. 2 JUN1 847, Elizabeth, 4th dau. of Thomas Haigh, Esq. of Colnebridge House, co. York. She d. 12 SEP 1891.

We have no real claim to this Gilstrap family at this time.

From "Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerage" and "Burke's General Armory".

Last revised: 23 March 2004