A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gayot family of France.
Reg. 7373 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
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 trois merlettes d'arg.”
BourgogneBourgogne, c. 1663
Where the Gayot Arms Were Recorded
Bourgogne
Map of France showing where the Gayot arms are recorded
The Gayot arms were recorded in Bourgogne, c. 1663.
Bourgogne was one of the richest parts of France, built on wine, wool and the roads that carried both. Wealth of that kind bought land, and land brought arms, so the region filled with armed families earlier than most of the country.
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 Gayot 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 Bourgogne.
Origin & History of the Gayot Family in France
The family name Gayot has deep roots in the historical region of Bourgogne, France, where members of the family were firmly established by at least 1663. During this period, the name was closely tied to the social and agricultural landscape of eastern France, a region known for its rich traditions and complex local governance. Families like the Gayots often lived in rural parishes where they worked as skilled artisans or landholders, contributing to the local economy of the duchy. As the seventeenth century progressed, the name appeared in various parish registers and legal documents, which served to track births, marriages, and property transfers within the community. These records suggest that the family was well-integrated into the local society of Bourgogne, maintaining a steady presence in the area for generations. By studying these early administrative traces, historians can see how the family navigated the challenges of life in pre-revolutionary France while helping to build the cultural identity of their home province.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gaius
A Latin personal name of uncertain etymology, possibly meaning to rejoice.
This name
GayotA diminutive form indicating a person who is cheerful, joyful, or lighthearted.
also spelled
Gayotte
Gayott
Gayo
Related arms
Bouchersimilar arms
Córdova-Zuletasimilar arms
Durand de Carabellesimilar arms
Forstersimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Côte-d'Or, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Garnier, Joseph, Chartes de communes et d'affranchissements en Bourgogne, 1867
Richard, Jean, Histoire de la Bourgogne, 1988
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
