A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gauthier family of France.
Reg. 0720 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'azur à la bande d'arg., ch. de trois cors-de-chasse de gu. et acc. de cinq bes. d'or, 2 en chef et 3 en p.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1571
Where the Gauthier Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Gauthier arms are recorded
The Gauthier arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1571.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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.
Charles IX of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles IX of France
1560–1574
Reigning in France when the Gauthier 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Gauthier Family in France
The surname Gauthier originates from the ancient Germanic name Waldhar, which combines the elements for rule and army. Over many centuries, this name evolved through various linguistic shifts in France to become Gauthier. By the year 1571, historical records confirm that members of the Gauthier family were firmly established in the Lorraine region. During this era, families in Lorraine often lived in small agricultural communities that were frequently affected by the shifting borders of the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of France. The Gauthier family likely played a role in the local social structure of these villages, working as landowners or skilled tradespeople. Their presence in Lorraine during the late sixteenth century reflects the broader migration and settlement patterns of families who helped shape the cultural identity of eastern France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Waldhari
Derived from Germanic elements meaning ruler of the army.
This name
GauthierA French surname signifying a powerful leader or commander of the people.
also spelled
Gauthie
Gauthyer
Gotyay
Goteeay
Gothier
Related arms
Four (du) de la Thuilleriesame arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
