A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Geen family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2662 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg.; au chef de gu., ch. d'un lion iss. d'arg.”
ProvenceProvence, c. 1663
Where the Geen Arms Were Recorded
Provence
Map of France showing where the Geen arms are recorded
The Geen arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement is what fills a register.
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 Geen 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 Provence.
Origin & History of the Geen Family in France
The history of the Geen family in France is deeply rooted in the sun-drenched landscape of Provence, where records confirm their presence as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Provence was a region defined by its distinct local customs and a strong connection to the Mediterranean trade routes. Families living in this area often found their identities shaped by the agricultural cycles of the countryside and the bustling markets of nearby towns. By settling in this part of France, the early members of the Geen family became part of a vibrant society that balanced traditional rural life with the cultural shifts occurring across the kingdom. Their presence in the region suggests a life tied to the land and the local community, reflecting the broader social patterns of families who lived in the south of France during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 un griffon d'arg., adextré d'une fleur-de-lis d'or.”
Spainc. 1722
Where the Geen Arms Were Recorded
Castile
Map of Spain showing where the Geen arms are recorded
The Geen arms were recorded in Spain, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Castile.
Castile was the heart of Spain and the source of most of its noble families. Land won in the long wars against the Moors was granted out to fighting men, and a man granted land was granted arms along with it.
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 Spain in this period.
Philip V of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip V of Spain
1714–1724
Reigning in France when the Geen arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Spain
In Spain, a coat of arms was considered a form of property that belonged to the entire family line. These arms were passed down from a father to all his children equally. Younger branches of the family usually kept the original design without needing to add any special marks to distinguish their specific line.
Granting authority
The Cronista Rey de Armas was the official body that regulated and granted coats of arms throughout Spain.
How they got arms
Families often obtained their arms through royal grants or by proving their noble status to the official heraldic authority.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the registers of the Cronista Rey de Armas starting in 1496.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Spain.
Origin & History of the Geen Family in Spain
The family name Geen, while often associated with other regions, has a documented presence in the heart of the Spanish kingdom of Castile by the year 1722. During this period, the Castilian landscape was defined by a rigid social structure and a strong emphasis on land ownership and local administration. Families living in this region were often deeply tied to the agricultural cycles and the shifting political fortunes of the Spanish monarchy. As the name appears in local records from the early eighteenth century, it suggests that these ancestors were likely part of the provincial middle class or landed peasantry who helped maintain the stability of the Castilian interior. Their presence in the region during this era places them in a time of significant transition for Spain, as the country adjusted to the new Bourbon dynasty and sought to modernize its internal governance. By tracing the family to this specific time and place, we see a group that was firmly rooted in the traditions and daily life of colonial-era Spain.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Johannes
Hebrew origin meaning God is gracious.
This name
GeenA variant of Jean, derived from the Hebrew name meaning God is gracious.
also spelled
Guyn
Geen
Gwin
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Benoît, Fernand, La Provence du Comtat Venaissin, 1971
Cubells, Monique, La Provence des Lumières: Les parlementaires d'Aix au XVIIIe siècle, 1984
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
