The Gyllenhaal Family Tree Project: The Coat of Arms Project

The Catalog

Version 1.0, June 12, 2002

Description: Painting of Nr 814 on copper sheet
Number: COA1
Comments: Riddarhuset (the House of Nobles) number 814, this is the first of the three coats of arms belonging to the Gyllenhaal family. It was granted to Nils Gunnesson Haal, a lieutenant in the Västergötland cavalry. He was ennobled by Queen Christina on December 20th, 1652 as a reward for service in the Thirty Years War. The "shield letter" signed by Queen Christina notes that Nils served "first abroad and afterwards here within the country in the last Danish conflict, wherein he has conducted himself truly bravely and zealously." Like the coats of arms of other Swedish noble families the Gyllenhaal shield is painted in heraldic colors on a sheet of copper, and is still hanging on the wall of the Great Hall in Riddarhuset. This was most likely painted and hung in 1672, at the time of Nils' introduction to Riddarhuset. It can be found on the right side of the Great Hall, about 6 1/2 feet from the floor, near the middle of the wall. More information about Riddarhuset number 814 is here.
Photo Source: Herman Gyllenhaal, Sollentuna, Sweden
Date of Manufacture: Probably 1672
Photographer: C-H Stiernspetz, Riddarhuset, Stockholm
Photos:
COA1a

Description: Seal stamp of P. Gyllenhaal (Nr 814)
Number: COA2
Comments: This seal stamp is owned by Riddarhuset (the House of Nobles), but there is no information about its owner. It seems likely that it belonged to Per Gyllenhaal (25 Jul 1685 - 10 May 1754), the "G" standing for Gyllen-, and the "H" standing for -haal. He was the son of Lars, who was the son of Nils. None of the sons of Lars are listed in Elgenstierna's book with middle names, although the daughters are. More research into Per could reveal a middle name. The only other "P" possibility is Per Adolf Gyllenhaal, 23 Mar 1751/52 - 11 May 1809. Archival research could reveal documents with Per's seal that could prove or disprove this possibility. Photo number COA2b shows the handle of this seal on the far left. The other two seals shown in the photo (COA9, COA10) are also Gyllenhaal seals owned by Riddarhuset.
Photo Source: Herman Gyllenhaal, Sollentuna, Sweden
Date of Manufacture: Probably prior to 1754
Photographer: C-H Stiernspetz, Riddarhuset, Stockholm, November 2000
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COA2a
COA2b

Description: Sofa with coats of arms engraved on back (Nr 814)
Number: COA3
Comments: The two coats of arms carved into the upper backpiece of this sofa belong to the families Hammarhjelm and Gyllenhaal. It seems likely that the sofa belonged to Per Gustaf Hammarhjelm (1714-1770) and Anna Beata Gyllenhaal (1720-1785), who were married on September 16, 1740. This piece is in the collection of Göteborgs stadsmuseum, formerly exhibited in Ostindiska Huset (the house of the East-India Company) in Göteborg (Gothenburg).
Source: Olle Gyllenhaal, Gothenburg, Sweden
Date of Manufacture: Probably mid-18th century
Photographer: Olle Gyllenhaal, Gothenburg, Sweden
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COA3a

Description: Funeral coat of arms (begravningsvapen) (Nr 814)
Number: COA4
Comments: This "funeral coat of arms" or begravningsvapen hangs on the north wall of Bråttensby Church in central Västergötland. It is very large, carved in wood, and heavily repainted, though still in the proper heraldic colors. The plaque beneath it is inscribed "H R Gyllenhaal." Undoubtedly these initials refer to Hans Reinhold Gyllenhaal (1724-1796), Leonard Gyllenhaal's father. However, the style of the piece may be too old for Hans Reinhold's time, and it may have been made for Gudmund Gyllenhaal (1643-1700/01), the oldest son of Nils. Gudmund lived nearby, and may therefore be buried in the church cemetery. If this is the case, then the inscription on the begravningsvapen was probably repainted long after the death of Hans Reinhold by someone who was confused about the identity of the owner. Begravningsvapen like this were out of fashion at the time of Hans Reinhold's death. (For a book on "funeral coats of arms" see Inga von Corswant-Naumburg, Huvudbaner och anvapen under stormaktstiden - Visby : Ödin, 1999.)
Source: Ed Gyllenhaal, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania
Date of Manufacture: Probably 1700/01
Photographer: Ed Gyllenhaal, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania
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COA4a
COA4b
COA4c

Description: Coat of arms number 814 printed in book
Number: COA5
Comments: This may be the oldest reproduction of the Gyllenhaal coat of arms in print. It comes from Svea Rikes Ridderskaps och Adels Wapn Bok. The information on the title page is as follows (translated): "The Swea Realm Knighthood and Nobility Coat of Arms Book in copperplate engravings. With the Most Gracious Privilege of His Royal Majesty. Published in the Year 1764, Stockholm." Note the spelling of Gyllenhaal (with only one "a"); the spelling was inconsistent well into the early 1800s. Note also the number here assigned to the Gyllenhaal shield (792). This number does not match the one on the copper plate hanging in Riddarhuset (the House of Nobles), which is 814. The size of the book is approx. 9x14 inches.
Source: Herman Gyllenhaal, Sollentuna, Sweden
Date of Manufacture: 1764
Photographer: Herman Gyllenhaal, Sollentuna, Sweden
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COA5a
COA5b

Description: Signet ring dated 1768 (Nr 814)
Number: COA6
Comments: This gold signet ring with the Gyllenhaal coat of arms carved into a carnelian intaglio belongs to Leonard Deane Gyllenhaal of Newtonville, Massachusetts. It was given to him by his father, Leonard Anders, who in turn received it from his father, Leonard Efraim. It has apparently been passed down from father to oldest son since the time of Anders Leonard Gyllenhaal, who emigrated from Sweden to America in 1866. The history of the ring before that time is not known, but it is clear from the goldsmith's marks that it was made in Stockholm in the year 1768. In that year Leonard Gyllenhaal turned sixteen years old, and it is likely that the ring was given to him (or passed down to him) by his father, and then passed down from father to son for a total of seven generations. Each male in the line of descent down to the present owner had Leonard as either his first or middle name, and so it may be that the ring has always belonged to "Leonards." More information about this ring is available here
Source: Ed Gyllenhaal, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania
Date of Manufacture: 1768
Photographer: Ed Gyllenhaal, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania
Photos:
COA6a
COA6b

Description: Painting of Nr 388 on copper sheet
Number: COA7
Comments: The second Gyllenhaal coat of arms was granted to Carl Henrik Gyllenhaal when he became the family's first friherre (baron) in 1837. He was introduced at the House of Nobles the following year (Nr 388). Two or more coats could be placed on the same shield to signify inheritance, a marriage alliance, or the holding of a particular office. In the case of Carl Henrik's coat of arms, the original Gyllenhaal shield was retained in the center, but the rest of his shield was "quartered," as was usual with baronial coats of arms in Sweden. The four new coats in the shield contain his marital arms and arms of office. The crown above the shield is usual with baronial arms. Like the coats of arms of other Swedish noble families the Gyllenhaal shield is painted in heraldic colors on a sheet of copper, and is still hanging on the wall of the Great Hall in Riddarhuset. This was most likely painted and hung in 1838, at the time of Carl Henrik's introduction to Riddarhuset. It can be found on the left side of the Great Hall, near the middle of the wall. More information about Riddarhuset number 388 is here.
Photo Source: Herman Gyllenhaal, Sollentuna, Sweden
Date of Manufacture: Probably 1838
Photographer: C-H Stiernspetz, Riddarhuset, Stockholm
Photos:
COA7a

Description: Snuff-box made out of Swedish masur-birch (Nr 388)
Number: COA8
Comments: This box features the Coat of Arms of Carl Henrik Gyllenhaal, the Swedish Customs Director General and the first baron Gyllenhaal. It is owned by .Lars Gyllenhaal, of Rosvik, Norrbotten, Sweden.
Photo Source: Herman Gyllenhaal, Sollentuna, Sweden
Date of Manufacture: Mid-19th century
Photographer: Herman Gyllenhaal, Sollentuna, Sweden
Photos:
COA8a

Description: Seal stamp of Carl Henrik Gyllenhaal (Nr 388)
Number: COA9
Comments: This seal stamp is owned by Riddarhuset (the House of Nobles). It belonged to the Customs General Carl Henrik Gyllenhaal (1788-1857), which he had made after having been honored with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Polar Star, the second finest order in Sweden at the time. The Order is engraved on the seal, superimposed over the Gyllenhaal coat of arms. King Fredrik I instituted the Swedish Royal Order of the Polar Star in 1748. According to The Consulate General of Sweden in New York, "Until 1975, the order was awarded Swedish citizens for civic virtue, long meritorious service to the nation, and distinguished service within the field of science, and in social or cultural life." A motto in French wraps around the top of the seal: "Honneur, Candeur, et Reconnaisance" (Honor, Candor, and Gratitude). This same motto was used on the baronial coat of arms that was granted to him in 1837 (for more information on number 388 go here. Photo number COA9b shows the handle of this seal (middle). The other two seals shown in the photo (COA2, COA10) are also Gyllenhaal seals owned by Riddarhuset.
Photo Source: Herman Gyllenhaal, Sollentuna, Sweden
Date of Manufacture: Mid-19th century
Photographer: C-H Stiernspetz, Riddarhuset, Stockholm, November 2000
Photos:
COA9a
COA9b

Description: Seal stamp, owner unknown (Nr 814)
Number: COA10
Comments: This seal stamp is owned by Riddarhuset (the House of Nobles). The owner is unknown. Photo number COA10b shows the handle of this seal (on the right). The other two seals shown in the photo (COA2, COA9) are also Gyllenhaal seals owned by Riddarhuset.
Photo Source: Herman Gyllenhaal, Sollentuna, Sweden
Date of Manufacture: Unknown
Photographer: C-H Stiernspetz, Riddarhuset, Stockholm, November 2000
Photos:
COA10a
COA10b

Description: Seal stamp of Lars Herman Gyllenhaal (Nr 814)
Number: COA11
Comments: While the initials LHG have belonged to seven different people, all direct ancestors of the present Baron Lars Herman Gyllenhaal, the appearance of this stamp on a letter from about 1780 (now in the possession of Olle Gyllenhaal in Gothenburg) indicates that it was owned by Lars Herman Gyllenhaal (1757-1830). His son, known as The Excellence, was granted a baronial coat of arms (Nr 396) in 1843.
Photo Source: Herman Gyllenhaal, Sollentuna, Sweden
Date of Manufacture: Probably the latter half of the 18th century
Photographer: Herman Gyllenhaal, Sollentuna, Sweden
Photos:
COA11a
COA11b

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Number: COA12
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COA12a

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Number: COA13
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COA13a

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Number: COA14
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COA14a

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Number: COA15
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COA15a
COA15b
COA15c

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Number: COA16
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COA16a
COA16b
COA16c
COA16d

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Number: COA17
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COA17a
COA17b

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Number: COA18
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COA18a
COA18b

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Number: COA19
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COA19a

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Number: COA20
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COA20a

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Number: COA21
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COA21a

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Number: COA22
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COA22a

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Number: COA23
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COA23a
COA23b
COA23c

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Number: COA24
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COA24a
COA24b

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Number: COA25
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COA25a

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Number: COA26
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COA26a
COA26b
COA26c
COA26d
COA26e

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Number: COA27
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COA27a

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Number: COA28
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COA28a
COA28b

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Number: COA29
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COA29a

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Number: COA30
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COA30a
COA30b

Number: COA31
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COA31a
COA31b

Number: COA32
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COA32a

Number: COA33
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COA33a
COA33b
COA33c

Number: COA34
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COA34a
COA34b
COA34c
COA34d

Number: COA35
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COA35a
COA35b
COA35c

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