A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gelabert family of France.
Reg. 0402 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
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'or à l'aigle d'azur, cour. du même.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Gelabert Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Gelabert arms are recorded
The Gelabert arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Gelabert 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 Gelabert Family in France
The surname Gelabert is rooted in the linguistic traditions of the Catalan region, where it evolved from the ancient Germanic name Giselbert. This name combines elements meaning pledge and bright, reflecting a history that spans across medieval Europe. By the early 18th century, members of the family had established a presence in the Brittany region of France by 1725. This migration likely occurred due to the movement of merchants or skilled laborers who traveled along established trade routes connecting the Mediterranean coast to the northern Atlantic ports. As these individuals settled into new communities, they maintained their distinct family identity while adapting to the local culture and language of their new home. This transition highlights the resilience of the family as they integrated into the social fabric of 18th-century France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Giselbert
Derived from Germanic elements meaning bright or shining pledge or hostage.
This name
GelabertA Catalan and French surname originating from the Germanic personal name Giselbert.
also spelled
Gelabert
Gelabert-Portella
Jelabert
Jelabert de la Portela
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives Départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms 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.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
