A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gary family of France.
Reg. 4105 · 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 Gary Arms Were Recorded
Languedoc
Map of France showing where the Gary arms are recorded
The Gary 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 Gary 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 Gary Family in France
The family name Gary 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 name was closely tied to the social and agricultural life of the area, which was known for its distinct culture and complex history of religious and political shifts. Families in Languedoc often lived in small, tightly knit communities where they worked as landowners or skilled tradespeople. The name likely evolved from local dialects or descriptive nicknames common to the Mediterranean coast. By the mid-17th century, the Gary family was already part of the fabric of this vibrant province, living through a time when France was transitioning into a centralized monarchy under King Louis XIV. Their presence in the region suggests a long-standing connection to the land and the local traditions that defined life in southern France for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ger
A Germanic element meaning spear or lance.
This name
GaryDerived from a nickname for a spearman or one who wields a spear.
also spelled
Gari
Garey
Garie
Related arms
Garivariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Hérault, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Le Roy Ladurie, Emmanuel, Les Paysans de Languedoc, 1966
Wolff, Philippe, Histoire du Languedoc, 1967
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
