Map of France showing where the Gentine arms are recorded
The Gentine arms were recorded in Forez, c. 1663.
Forez was a small upland county in central France, thick with minor gentry holding modest estates. Its families were more numerous than wealthy, and even a small holding was enough for a shield of one's own.
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 Gentine 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 Forez.
Origin & History of the Gentine Family in France
The family name Gentine finds its deep roots in the historical province of Forez, a region located in central France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this area, which was known for its rolling hills and strong agricultural traditions. The name likely evolved from local linguistic patterns common to the dialect spoken in the Forez mountains. During the seventeenth century, families in this region were often tied to the land through farming or small-scale trade. As the Gentine family settled into these communities, they became part of the social fabric of the old province. Their presence in local parish registers suggests they were integrated into the daily life of the villages long before the modern era. This early history reflects the typical experience of families who built their lives in the rural heart of France during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gentilis
Latin term meaning belonging to a clan, family, or noble house.
This name
GentineA locative or status-based surname denoting someone of noble birth or belonging to a specific lineage.
also spelled
Genetines-de
Genetine
Genetiness
Jeneteen
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Loire, Registres paroissiaux de la province du Forez, 1663
Fournier, Gabriel, Les campagnes de la plaine de Forez au XVIIe siècle, 1973
Gonon, Marguerite, La vie quotidienne en Forez au XVIIe siècle, 1960
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
