A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Garey family of France.
Reg. 2412 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
elephantGreat strength, wit and ambition
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 d'or à un éléphant pass. de sa., portant sur son dos une tour du même; au 2 de sa. à un poirier arr. d'arg., fruité d'or.”
LanguedocLanguedoc, c. 1663
Where the Garey Arms Were Recorded
Languedoc
Map of France showing where the Garey arms are recorded
The Garey arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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 Garey 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 Languedoc.
Origin & History of the Garey Family in France
The family name Garey has deep roots in the Languedoc region of southern France, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1663. During this period, the Languedoc area was a hub of agricultural activity and religious transition, which likely influenced the daily lives and movements of the family. The name itself is thought to be derived from local linguistic variations, potentially linked to the Occitan language spoken throughout the region at that time. Families in this area were often tied to the land, working as skilled farmers or craftsmen who contributed to the vibrant economy of the southern French provinces. Over the following generations, the family name persisted as a mark of their regional identity, reflecting the enduring history of those who lived and worked in the Languedoc landscape during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Garin
Derived from the Germanic element warin meaning guard or protect.
This name
GareyA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Garin.
also spelled
Gari
Garey
Garie
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Le Roy Ladurie, Emmanuel, Les Paysans de Languedoc, 1966
Archives départementales de l'Hérault, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, Series E
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
elephantGreat strength, wit and ambition
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
elephantGreat strength, wit and ambition
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
