A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gaillard family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4299 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à deux fasces de sa., surm. chacune de trois étoiles du même.”
ArtoisArtois, c. 1663
Where the Gaillard Arms Were Recorded
Artois
Map of France showing where the Gaillard arms are recorded
The Gaillard arms were recorded in Artois, c. 1663.
Artois lay on the disputed ground between France and the Low Countries and was fought over for centuries. Families there held their land under arms, and a shield was how a fighting household was known.
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 Gaillard 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 Artois.
Origin & History of the Gaillard Family in France
The surname Gaillard originates from the Old French word *gaillard*, which described a person who was lively, brave, or full of high spirits. During the medieval period, this term often functioned as a nickname for a vigorous or energetic individual before it eventually became a hereditary family name. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the northern province of Artois. This region was a significant crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between France and the Low Countries, placing the family in a dynamic environment during a time of shifting borders and political change. As the name spread across various French provinces, it remained tied to its roots as a descriptor of a spirited personality, reflecting the vitality of the ancestors who carried it forward through generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 trois bes. mal-ordonnés d'or; le champ chapé d'un fascé d'arg. et d'azur. Cq. cour. C.: une aigle iss. de sa. L. d'or et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Gaillard Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Gaillard arms are recorded
The Gaillard arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in France when the Gaillard arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Gaillard Family in Germany
The surname Gaillard carries a rich history that reflects the movement of people across European borders during the eighteenth century. While the name is often associated with French origins, its presence in Bavaria by 1765 suggests a family that adapted to new cultural landscapes and linguistic environments. During this period, Bavaria was a hub of trade and migration, and families like the Gaillards often settled in growing urban centers or rural agricultural districts to establish their livelihoods. The name itself is thought to derive from an old term meaning lively or spirited, which may have served as a descriptive nickname for early ancestors before it became a formal family identifier. By the mid-1700s, these individuals were integrated into the local social fabric, participating in the religious and civic life of the German states as they navigated the complexities of the Enlightenment era. This transition highlights how families moved, settled, and maintained their identity while becoming an essential part of the history of the Bavarian region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
gail
Old French term denoting liveliness, joy, or high spirits.
This name
GaillardA nickname for a cheerful, lively, or boisterous person.
also spelled
Gaillart
Gayllard
Gayard
Gaylord
Related arms
Gaillartvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Archives départementales du Pas-de-Calais. Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux de l'Artois. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
