A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Garro family of France.
Reg. 3493 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
wolfReward from long service and hard work
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 la croix de gu., cant. de quatre loups de sa.”
NavarreNavarre, c. 1663
Where the Garro Arms Were Recorded
Navarre
Map of France showing where the Garro arms are recorded
The Garro arms were recorded in Navarre, c. 1663.
Navarre was mountain country straddling the Pyrenees, with a strong class of small independent landholders. A great many households counted as gentry there, and each needed a shield to be told apart.
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 Garro 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 Navarre.
Origin & History of the Garro Family in France
The surname Garro originates from the Basque region of northern Spain, where it has deep roots in the historical kingdom of Navarre. Linguistic experts suggest that the name is derived from the Basque word "gar," which refers to a brushwood or a place where ferns grow, indicating that the family likely lived near or managed such land. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Garro family were well-established figures within the Navarrese social structure. During this era, families with this name were often involved in local agriculture and community governance, reflecting the traditional lifestyle of the Pyrenees mountain valleys. As the family grew, they maintained a strong connection to their ancestral territory, preserving their identity through generations of life in the rural landscapes of northern Spain.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Garr
Old French or Germanic term referring to a spear or pointed weapon.
This name
GarroA topographic name for someone living near a rough, stony, or barren piece of land.
also spelled
Garrou
Garrot
Garros
Garo
Related arms
Garreauvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Mikel Belasko, Diccionario etimológico de los nombres de los pueblos, villas y ciudades de Navarra, 1999
Endika de Mogrobejo, Diccionario hispano de apellidos y blasones, 1995
Archivo Real y General de Navarra, Sección de Procesos Judiciales, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
wolfReward from long service and hard work
cross symbolChristian faith and service
wolfReward from long service and hard work
