A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Geko family of France.
Reg. 5411 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à la bande de gu., ch. d'un lézard d'or et acc. de deux grenades d'azur.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Geko Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Geko arms are recorded
The Geko arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 Geko 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Geko Family in France
The family name Geko traces its historical roots to the rugged landscape of Bretagne, France, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, this region was defined by a distinct cultural identity and a strong connection to the Atlantic coastline. Families living in this area often took names that reflected their specific trade, their local geography, or unique nicknames used within their small village communities. The Geko name likely emerged during this period as a way to identify a specific lineage among the growing population of the province. As these early ancestors navigated the social and economic shifts of the French countryside, they helped establish a foundation for the family that would eventually span generations. Their life in Bretagne suggests a history deeply tied to the traditions and rural development of western France during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gec
A Germanic root related to the word for cuckoo or bird.
This name
GekoA nickname derived from the Old French term for a cuckoo, often used to describe a talkative person.
also spelled
Giequau
Giequeaux
Giequeo
Jeko
Geko
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Pocquet du Haut-Jussé, Barthélemy-Amédée, Histoire de Bretagne, 1937
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
