A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gerald family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9343 · Polish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à la croix alésée d'arg., chaque bras orné à son extrémité d'une boule d'or. Cq. cour. C.: un coq de bruyère, au nat., le vol levé.”
Polandc. 1772
Where the Gerald Arms Were Recorded
Mazovia
Map of Poland showing where the Gerald arms are recorded
The Gerald arms were recorded in Poland, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Mazovia.
Mazovia held Warsaw, the Polish court and the assemblies where the szlachta met. Poland's nobles were unusually numerous and every one of them bore arms, and Warsaw is where those arms were argued over and recorded.
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.
Region
Mazovia
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Gerald Arms
Ennoblement by the Sejm
Author: Olek Remesz · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Poland in this period.
Stanisław August Poniatowski
Sovereign of the period
Stanisław August Poniatowski
1764–1795
Reigning in Poland when the Gerald arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Poland
Polish noble families shared a single coat of arms across many different surnames, creating large clans rather than individual designs. These symbols were held collectively by all members of the clan regardless of their specific family name. When a new family joined the nobility, they were adopted into an existing clan and began using that group's established shield.
Granting authority
The Sejm, which was the Polish parliament, held the power to grant noble status and the right to bear arms.
How they got arms
Families typically received their coat of arms through a formal act of ennoblement granted by the Sejm for distinguished service.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Crown Metrica, which served as the central archive for state documents starting in the sixteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Poland.
Origin & History of the Gerald Family in Poland
The family name Gerald has deep roots in the Mazovia region of Poland, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1772. During this period, Mazovia was a central hub of Polish social and political life, and families living there were often deeply integrated into the local agricultural and administrative systems. The name Gerald likely evolved from older Germanic naming traditions that spread across Europe through trade and migration before taking hold in the Polish heartland. By the late 18th century, families with this name were established enough to appear in regional census and parish records, which suggests they were active participants in the community life of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. As the family settled into the Mazovian landscape, they adapted to the local language and customs while maintaining their distinct identity. This early presence in Mazovia highlights how families moved and settled in Eastern Europe during a time of significant transition for the Polish state.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
bordureA difference between branches of one family
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. a saltire engr. gu. a border of the last”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Gerald Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Gerald arms are recorded
The Gerald arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Poland when the Gerald arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Gerald Family in Ireland
The family name Gerald has deep roots that connect to the complex history of Ireland during the seventeenth century. By 1645, members of the family were already established in Dublin, a city that served as a major center for trade and political activity at the time. During this period, Ireland was experiencing significant upheaval due to the Irish Confederate Wars, which forced many families to navigate shifting loyalties and changing social structures. The presence of the Gerald family in the capital suggests they were part of the urban middle class or merchant groups who helped shape the city’s growth. As they lived through these turbulent years, the family became part of the broader story of Dublin’s development, reflecting the resilience of those who settled in the region during an era of great national transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerwald
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and rule or power.
This name
GeraldA name signifying a ruler who wields a spear with authority and strength.
also spelled
Geralt
Gerard
Jerald
Related arms
Gerardvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archiwum Główne Akt Dawnych (AGAD), Księgi metrykalne parafii rzymskokatolickich z terenu Mazowsza
Dworzaczek, Włodzimierz, Genealogia, 1959
Nadolski, Andrzej, Polska technika wojskowa do 1500 roku, 1994
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
bordureA difference between branches of one family
