John Gibbon (officer of arms)

John Gibbon (1629 – 1718) was an English officer of arms, heraldic writer, and controversialist.

Gibbon was appointed Bluemantle Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary at the College of Arms in 1668. He was a prolific writer on heraldic matters, known for his detailed knowledge and somewhat combative style.

His major publications include Introductio ad Latinam Blasoniam (1682), a Latin textbook on heraldry; and Accipitris De Cura (1684), on falconry. He was also a frequent contributor to learned journals.

Gibbon was involved in numerous heraldic disputes, particularly regarding claims of ancestry and the right to bear arms. He was a strong defender of the College of Arms' authority and often clashed with those he considered to be falsely claiming noble lineage. His aggressive approach made him a somewhat controversial figure, but his contributions to the study and understanding of heraldry are significant.