A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gauvin family of France.
Reg. 2063 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'or à la fasce de gu., ch. d'une fleur-de-lis d'arg.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Gauvin Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Gauvin arms are recorded
The Gauvin arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Gauvin 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 France.
Origin & History of the Gauvin Family in France
The family name Gauvin finds its roots in the medieval period of France, evolving from the ancient Germanic name Gauwin. This name is composed of elements that translate roughly to a combination of land or territory and a friend or companion. By the middle of the seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the province of Bretagne. Records confirm that members of the Gauvin family were living in this coastal region by 1663, where they likely engaged in the traditional trades and agricultural life common to the area at that time. As was typical for families of that era, the name was passed down through generations as the family moved across different parishes. Their history reflects the broader movement of French families who maintained their cultural identity while adapting to the social structures of the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Walo
A Germanic element meaning foreign or stranger.
This name
GauvinDerived from the Germanic name Walwin, signifying a friend of foreigners or a stranger's friend.
also spelled
Gauvyn
Govin
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 d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
