A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gentille family of France.
Reg. 4326 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 la fasce de gu., acc. de trois roses du même. D.: GENTIL D'AN OLL (Gentil pour tous.)”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1447
Where the Gentille Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Gentille arms are recorded
The Gentille arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1447.
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.
Charles VII of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles VII of France
1422–1461
Reigning in France when the Gentille 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 Gentille Family in France
The family name Gentille traces its roots back to the medieval period, with documented evidence placing members of the lineage in the region of Bretagne by the year 1447. During this era, the name likely emerged as a descriptive term, reflecting the social standing or the refined character of those who carried it. In the fifteenth century, Bretagne was a distinct duchy with its own unique customs and legal systems, which influenced how families established their presence in local society. Members of the Gentille family were often involved in the administrative and agricultural life of the province, helping to shape the local community through their work and social connections. As the family grew, they became part of the complex tapestry of Breton history, living through a time of significant political change and cultural development in western France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gentilis
Latin term meaning belonging to a clan, family, or noble lineage.
This name
GentilleRefers to a person of noble, refined, or courteous character and high social standing.
also spelled
Gentille
Jenteel de Koatanfrotee
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Potier de Courcy, Pol, Nobiliaire et armorial de Bretagne, 1846
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E, Fonds de familles et de seigneuries
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
