A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gau family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9387 · Spanish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à la croix fleurdelisée d'or, vidée du champ, cant. de quatre lis du sec.”
Spainc. 1722
Where the Gau Arms Were Recorded
Castile
Map of Spain showing where the Gau arms are recorded
The Gau arms were recorded in Spain, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Castile.
Castile was the heart of Spain and the source of most of its noble families. Land won in the long wars against the Moors was granted out to fighting men, and a man granted land was granted arms along with it.
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 Spain in this period.
Philip V of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip V of Spain
1714–1724
Reigning in Spain when the Gau arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Spain
In Spain, a coat of arms was considered a form of property that belonged to the entire family line. These arms were passed down from a father to all his children equally. Younger branches of the family usually kept the original design without needing to add any special marks to distinguish their specific line.
Granting authority
The Cronista Rey de Armas was the official body that regulated and granted coats of arms throughout Spain.
How they got arms
Families often obtained their arms through royal grants or by proving their noble status to the official heraldic authority.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the registers of the Cronista Rey de Armas starting in 1496.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Spain.
Origin & History of the Gau Family in Spain
The family name Gau has roots that stretch back into the historical landscape of Castile, where records confirm members of the family were living by 1722. During the eighteenth century, Castile was a region defined by its agricultural traditions and its central role in the administration of the Spanish Empire. Families with this surname likely participated in the local social structures of the time, which were often tied to land ownership and community service in rural towns. As the name appeared in official documents during this period, it suggests that the family was integrated into the local bureaucracy or the church records that tracked births, marriages, and deaths. While the name is relatively rare in Spain, its presence in the Castilian heartland indicates that early generations were part of the foundational fabric of the region before the broader societal shifts of the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un cygne d'azur, m. de gu.”
LanguedocLanguedoc, c. 1663
Where the Gau Arms Were Recorded
Languedoc
Map of France showing where the Gau arms are recorded
The Gau 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 Spain when the Gau 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 Gau Family in France
The history of the Gau family in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscapes of the Languedoc region. By the mid-seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this area, which was known for its distinct cultural identity and historical ties to the Occitan language. The name itself is thought to have evolved from local linguistic roots, potentially serving as a descriptive term for individuals living in specific rural settings or near notable geographical landmarks. During the 1660s, families like the Gaus were often tied to the land through agriculture and local trade, navigating the complex social shifts that defined southern France under the reign of Louis XIV. As the region transitioned through periods of religious and political change, the Gau family remained a part of the local fabric, contributing to the development of the small communities that dotted the Languedoc countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gualterius
A Germanic name meaning powerful ruler or army commander.
This name
GauA Catalan and Spanish surname derived from a shortened form of Walter.
also spelled
Gaue
Gauw
Go
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivo Histórico Nacional, Sección Nobleza, Protocolos Notariales de Castilla
Archivo de la Real Chancillería de Valladolid, Registro de Ejecutorias
Moll, Francesc de Borja, Els llinatges catalans: Catalunya, País Valencià i Illes Balears, 1959
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
