A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Geiss family of France.
Reg. 2801 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 trois fleurs de gesse ou fleurs de lis d'arg., 2 et 1; à la bande d'or, ch. de huit tourt. de sa., br. sur les fleurs [V. Guyon de Geis de Pampelonne.]”
LanguedocLanguedoc, c. 1663
Where the Geiss Arms Were Recorded
Languedoc
Map of France showing where the Geiss arms are recorded
The Geiss arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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 Geiss 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 Languedoc.
Origin & History of the Geiss Family in France
The family name Geiss originates from the Germanic word for a goat, which suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or herders who lived in close proximity to their livestock. While the name has deep roots in Central Europe, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the Languedoc region of southern France by 1663. During this period, families often moved across borders due to shifting political boundaries and the search for new agricultural opportunities. Settling in Languedoc placed the family within a vibrant cultural landscape known for its unique language and traditions. By the mid-17th century, the family had integrated into the local community, likely contributing to the regional economy through trade or land cultivation. This movement from Germanic territories into the French south highlights a history of resilience and adaptation as the family navigated the complex social structures of early modern Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gais
Old High German word for a goat.
This name
GeissAn occupational surname for a goatherd or someone who raised goats.
also spelled
Geise
Geiss
Gis
Gice
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Hérault, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.