A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gautier family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0170 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à la croix d'or, acc. aux 1 et 4 d'une tête et col de grue d'arg. et aux 2 et 3 d'un trèfle d'or.”
PicardiePicardie, c. 1663
Where the Gautier Arms Were Recorded
Picardie
Map of France showing where the Gautier arms are recorded
The Gautier arms were recorded in Picardie, c. 1663.
Picardie lay on the northern road into France and saw armies pass through it repeatedly. Its landowners were soldiers as often as farmers, and a soldier needed a shield he could be recognised by.
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 Gautier 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 Picardie.
Origin & History of the Gautier Family in France
The surname Gautier originates from the ancient Germanic name Walter, which translates to a ruler of the army. Over many centuries, this name evolved through linguistic shifts in France to become the common family name we recognize today. By the mid-seventeenth century, the Gautier family had established a notable presence in the Picardie region of northern France. This area was historically significant due to its position as a gateway between Paris and the northern territories, making it a hub for trade and agriculture. Families living in Picardie during the 1660s often navigated a landscape shaped by both royal influence and local traditions. The presence of the Gautier family in this region by 1663 suggests they were well-integrated into the social fabric of the French countryside during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à cinq los. d'arg., aboutées en croix.”
SwitzerlandGenève, c. 1745
Where the Gautier Arms Were Recorded
Genève
Map of Switzerland showing where the Gautier arms are recorded
The Gautier arms were recorded in Genève, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Gautier Family in Switzerland
The family name Gautier has deep roots in the French-speaking regions of Switzerland, particularly within the city of Genève. While the name originates from the Germanic personal name Walter, meaning ruler of the army, it evolved into a distinct surname that became well-established in Swiss society by the mid-eighteenth century. By 1745, records confirm that members of the Gautier family were active participants in the civic and social life of Genève. During this period, the city was a hub of intellectual and commercial growth, and families like the Gautiers often integrated into the local bourgeoisie. They were frequently involved in the city’s thriving watchmaking industry, banking, or the legal professions that defined the Genevan economy. As citizens of a republic that valued education and trade, these early family members helped shape the professional landscape of the region, establishing a legacy that persisted long after their initial arrival in the city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Waldhari
A Germanic compound meaning ruler of the army or powerful warrior.
This name
GautierA French surname derived from the Old Germanic name meaning army ruler.
also spelled
Gautyer
Gautie
Gotyay
Goteeay
Gotier
Related arms
Perrysimilar arms
Guillerecorded with Gautier, same area
Huerecorded with Gautier, same area
Moreaurecorded with Gautier, same area
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 la Somme, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la Picardie, 1663
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
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
cross symbolChristian faith and service
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
