A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gallant family of France.
Reg. 0835 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. au chev. d'arg., acc. de trois têtes de léopard d'or.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1531
Where the Gallant Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Gallant arms are recorded
The Gallant arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1531.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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.
Francis I of France
Sovereign of the period
Francis I of France
1515–1547
Reigning in France when the Gallant 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Gallant Family in France
The surname Gallant traces its roots to the historical region of Lorraine, where records confirm the family was established by at least 1531. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname, derived from the Old French word "galant," which was used to describe someone who was brave, spirited, or courtly in their behavior. During the sixteenth century, Lorraine was a vibrant crossroads of culture and trade, placing the early Gallant family in a position to witness significant shifts in European politics and social structures. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of the region, participating in the agricultural and civic life that defined the area during the Renaissance. Over time, the name spread beyond the borders of Lorraine as members of the family sought new opportunities, eventually carrying their heritage into various parts of France and across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gala
Old French term referring to festive, joyous, or merry behavior.
This name
GallantA descriptor for a person who is brave, chivalrous, or spirited in character.
also spelled
Galant
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Benoît, Albert, Histoire de la Lorraine, 1904
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série G: Clergé séculier et paroisses
Lepage, Henri, Les communes de la Meurthe: journal historique des villes, bourgs, villages, hameaux et censes de ce département, 1853
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
