<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-19-017612.txt : 20190507
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-19-017612.hdr.sgml : 20190507
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20190507164443
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-19-017612
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20190503
FILED AS OF DATE:		20190507
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20190507

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			English Frank E. Jr.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001463048

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09761
		FILM NUMBER:		19803756

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER & CO.
		STREET 2:		TWO PIERCE PLACE
		CITY:			ITASCA
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60143

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GALLAGHER ARTHUR J & CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000354190
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INSURANCE AGENTS BROKERS & SERVICES [6411]
		IRS NUMBER:				362151613
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2850 GOLF ROAD
		CITY:			ROLLING MEADOWS
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60008-4002
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6307733800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2850 GOLF ROAD
		CITY:			ROLLING MEADOWS
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60008-4002
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2019-05-03</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000354190</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GALLAGHER ARTHUR J &amp; CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AJG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001463048</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>English Frank E. Jr.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2850 GOLF ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ROLLING MEADOWS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60008-4002</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2019-05-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>800</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>83.08</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock (restricted)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2100</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The price reported is an average weighted price. The shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $83.06 to $83.10. The reporting person will provide to the Securities and Exchange Commission staff, the issuer, or any security holder of the issuer, upon request, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price within the range set forth in this footnote.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Restricted stock unit award vesting one year after the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ April Hanes-Dowd, by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2019-05-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
