A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gaye family of France.
Reg. 5885 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“De gu. à un tournesol d'or, tigé, feuillé et terrassé du même, posé à sen., acc. en chef à dextre d'un soleil du même; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles d'arg.”
FranceToulouse, c. 1663
Where the Gaye Arms Were Recorded
Toulouse
Map of France showing where the Gaye arms are recorded
The Gaye arms were recorded in Toulouse, c. 1663.
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 Gaye 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 Gaye Family in France
The family name Gaye has deep roots in the Occitanie region of southern France, with documented evidence placing family members in the city of Toulouse as early as 1663. The name is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname derived from the Old Occitan word "gai," which translates to cheerful or joyful. During the seventeenth century, Toulouse was a thriving center of trade and law, and families like the Gayes were often integrated into the local urban fabric as merchants or skilled craftsmen. Because the region maintained a distinct cultural and linguistic identity, the name reflects the local dialect that separated the south of France from the northern territories. Over time, the family name became firmly established in the records of the city, marking their transition from individuals known for a specific personality trait to a recognized lineage within the historic walls of Toulouse.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gaius
Latin name derived from the word for to rejoice.
This name
GayeA locative surname referring to someone living near a ford or passage.
also spelled
Gai
Gay
Related arms
Gaivariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales de la Haute-Garonne, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Bouton, André, Le Maine: histoire économique et sociale, 1962
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
