A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gent family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1387 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. au lion d'arg. C.: une tête et col de lion d'arg.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Gent Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Gent arms are recorded
The Gent 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 Gent 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 Gent Family in France
The family name Gent carries a history deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of western France. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were established in the province of Bretagne. During this era, the region was defined by a strong sense of local identity and a complex social structure tied to the land and the Catholic Church. Families like the Gents often lived in rural parishes where their daily lives revolved around agriculture and the seasonal rhythms of the Atlantic coast. Because Bretagne maintained a distinct legal and linguistic heritage compared to the rest of France, the family likely navigated a society that valued community ties and long-standing local traditions. As the eighteenth century progressed, the name became a fixture within these Breton communities, reflecting the steady persistence of families who built their lives through trade, farming, and local craftsmanship.
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
Where the Gent Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Gent arms are recorded
The Gent 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 Gent 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 Gent Family in England
The surname Gent has deep roots in the English county of Essex, where the family established a notable presence by the early seventeenth century. The name itself is thought to be a descriptive nickname derived from the Old French word gent, which meant noble, graceful, or well-born. During the medieval period, such names were often given to individuals who displayed refined manners or a polished appearance. By 1620, the Gent family had become well-integrated into the local social structure of Essex, often appearing in legal and land records as landowners and members of the local gentry. Their long history in this region suggests that they were active participants in the agricultural and administrative life of the English countryside during a time of significant social change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gens
Latin term referring to a clan, race, or group of families.
This name
GentRefers to a person of noble birth, refined manners, or a member of a specific clan.
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, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E: Familles et seigneuries
Croix, Alain. La Bretagne aux 16e et 17e siècles: la vie, la mort, la foi. 1981
Le Goff, Jacques. La Bretagne. 1989
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
