A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gauvain family of France.
Reg. 7907 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à une étoile d'arg.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1663
Where the Gauvain Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Gauvain arms are recorded
The Gauvain 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 Gauvain 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 Gauvain Family in France
The family name Gauvain is deeply rooted in the history of eastern France, specifically within the region of Franche-Comté. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, which was a territory defined by its mountainous landscape and complex political status between the French Kingdom and the Holy Roman Empire. The name itself is a variation of the Old French name Gauvain, which became famous throughout Europe during the Middle Ages due to its association with Sir Gawain, a legendary knight in the tales of King Arthur. Families who carried this name often lived in rural communities where they worked as landowners or local officials. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of their lineage as they navigated the social shifts and economic changes occurring in the Franche-Comté region during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Walewein
A Germanic name composed of elements meaning foreign and friend or acquaintance.
This name
GauvainA French form of Gawain, often associated with the legendary knight of King Arthur's Round Table.
also spelled
Gauvayn
Govan
Govain
Related arms
Gauninsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Doubs, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Bouchard, Gérard, Quelques aspects de la démographie historique en Franche-Comté, 1975
Festery, Jean, Histoire de la Franche-Comté, 1968
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
