A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gaston family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5165 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 une cage de sa.; au chef du même.”
LanguedocLanguedoc, c. 1663
Where the Gaston Arms Were Recorded
Languedoc
Map of France showing where the Gaston arms are recorded
The Gaston 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 Gaston 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 Gaston Family in France
The surname Gaston has deep roots in the southern regions of France, particularly within the province of Languedoc. The name itself likely originated as a given name before evolving into a family name during the Middle Ages. Historians believe it may have been derived from the Germanic word gast, which refers to a guest or a stranger, though it later became a common name among the nobility in the south. By the time records confirm the presence of the Gaston family in Languedoc in 1663, the name was already well-established in the local culture. Families in this region often lived in small agricultural communities where they were deeply connected to the land and the local parish. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the area, participating in the daily life and religious traditions that defined seventeenth-century French society.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Chequy ar. and gu. three escallops in bend or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gaston Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gaston arms are recorded
The Gaston arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Gaston arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Gaston Family in England
The surname Gaston has roots that stretch back to medieval France, but its presence in England became firmly established by the early seventeenth century. By 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Gaston family were living in the city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life, and families like the Gastons were often part of the growing merchant or artisan classes. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Old French personal name Gaston, which may have originated from the Germanic word for a guest or a stranger. As these early family members settled in Northern England, they integrated into the local community, contributing to the social and economic fabric of the region. Their move from the continent to English soil reflects the broader patterns of migration that shaped the population of Britain during the late Renaissance.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gast
A Germanic term meaning guest or stranger.
This name
GastonDerived from the Germanic word for guest, often associated with someone from Gascony.
also spelled
Gasten
Gastoun
Gastonne
Related arms
Gaustonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives départementales de l'Hérault. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de l'Hérault. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
