Map of France showing where the Gastelum arms are recorded
The Gastelum arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 Gastelum 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Gastelum Family in France
The history of the Gastelum family name in France is deeply rooted in the Franche-Comté region, a territory known for its complex history and mountainous landscape near the border of modern-day Switzerland. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were established in this area, which was then a strategic province that had only recently transitioned from Spanish Habsburg rule to French control. During this period, families in Franche-Comté often lived in tight-knit rural communities where local identity was shaped by the rugged terrain and the influence of the Catholic Church. The Gastelum name likely evolved alongside the shifting borders of the seventeenth century, as families navigated the transition between different regional administrations. Because the region served as a crossroads for trade and military movement, the early Gastelum ancestors were part of a resilient population that maintained strong local traditions while adapting to the changing political landscape of the French kingdom.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de sa. à la croix de Lorraine d'or, posée sur un tertre de trois coupeaux de sin., la croix cantonnée des lettres A M C E (amor meus crucifixus est) d'or; aux 2 et 3 d'azur au lion d'arg., cour. d'or, tenant entre ses pattes une étoile du même. Cq. cour. C.: une croix de Lorraine d'or, sommée d'une étoile du même; la croix placée entre un vol, l'aile dextre taillée d'azur sur arg., à la barre de sa., br. sur le taillé, et l'aile sen. tranchée d'or sur sa., à la bande d'azur, br. sur le tranché; la barre et la bande ch. chacune de deux étoiles d'or. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et d'azur [V. Batbach de Gastel.]”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1644
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Germany showing where the Gastelum arms are recorded
The Gastelum arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1644.
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.
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
1637–1657
Reigning in France when the Gastelum 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Gastelum Family in Germany
The history of the Gastelum family name in Germany is rooted in the social landscape of seventeenth-century Bavaria. By 1644, records confirm that members of the family were established within this region, which was then a center of significant political and religious transition following the Thirty Years' War. During this era, families often lived in small agrarian communities where names were tied to local geography or specific occupations. The Gastelum name likely evolved through regional dialects as families moved between villages to find work or settle on new land. Life in Bavaria at this time required great resilience, as the population worked to rebuild their homes and farms after decades of conflict. The presence of the family in these early records suggests they were part of the hardworking citizenry that helped shape the local culture and economy of the Bavarian countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gaztelu
Basque word for castle or fortified place.
This name
GastelumDerived from a topographic location referring to someone living near a castle or fortress.
also spelled
Gastil
Gastell
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Doubs, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Fohlen, Claude, Histoire de Besançon, 1964
Gauthier, Jules, Dictionnaire des communes du département du Doubs, 1886
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
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
