A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gado family of France.
Reg. 5874 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
swordJustice, and military honour
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à deux épées d'arg., garnies d'or, passées en saut.; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles d'or.”
BourgogneBourgogne, c. 1663
Where the Gado Arms Were Recorded
Bourgogne
Map of France showing where the Gado arms are recorded
The Gado arms were recorded in Bourgogne, c. 1663.
Bourgogne was one of the richest parts of France, built on wine, wool and the roads that carried both. Wealth of that kind bought land, and land brought arms, so the region filled with armed families earlier than most of the country.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Gado arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bourgogne.
Origin & History of the Gado Family in France
The family name Gado has deep roots in the historical region of Bourgogne, France, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1663. During the seventeenth century, Bourgogne was a prominent center of agricultural production and trade, and families living in this area were often tied to the land or local crafts. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or nicknames that were common in rural French communities at the time. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of their local parishes, leaving behind traces in baptismal and marriage registers that document their daily lives. By remaining in this specific province for generations, the Gado family contributed to the long-standing traditions and cultural identity of the Burgundian people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gad
A Hebrew term meaning fortune, luck, or troop.
This name
GadoA locative or occupational surname derived from the Germanic name Gado, signifying a person of good fortune.
also spelled
Gado
Gadott
Gadotte
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales de la Côte-d'Or, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Bouchard, Gérard, Quelques arpents d'Amérique: Population et économie du peuplement, 1996
Richard, Jean, Histoire de la Bourgogne, 1988
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.