Map of France showing where the Genito arms are recorded
The Genito 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 Genito 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 Genito Family in France
The family name Genito maintains a distinct historical presence in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm members of the lineage were established by 1725. During this period, the name was likely shaped by the unique cultural and linguistic environment of the Breton peninsula, which functioned with a degree of autonomy from the French crown. Families in this coastal area often lived in close-knit rural communities, relying on maritime trade and agriculture to sustain their households. The survival of the name in parish registers from the early eighteenth century suggests that the Genito family was well-integrated into the local social fabric, participating in the traditional religious and civil life of the province. As the family moved through the generations, their name became a permanent marker of their presence in the rugged landscape of western France, reflecting a history rooted in the daily labor and community ties of the Breton people.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Erm. on a chief indented sa. two eagles displ. or”
EssexDoddinghurst · Essex, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Genito arms are recorded
The Genito arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Genito arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Essex.
Origin & History of the Genito Family in England
The history of the Genito family in England begins with their documented presence in the county of Essex during the early seventeenth century. By 1620, members of the family were already established within the local community, living during a period of significant social and economic change in rural England. During this era, families in Essex were often deeply connected to the land and the local parish system, which served as the center of daily life for most residents. The name itself suggests a lineage that may have roots in Mediterranean regions, potentially arriving in England through trade routes or migration patterns that brought continental families to British shores. While the exact origins of their arrival remain a subject of study, their early settlement in Essex places them among the families who helped shape the local culture and history of the region during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gignere
Latin verb meaning to beget, produce, or give birth to.
This name
GenitoDerived from a nickname or occupational name indicating one who is born or created.
also spelled
Gent-de
Gent-van
Gente
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives Départementales du Morbihan, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
