A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Geraldino family of France.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's crossJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'herm. au saut. de gu.”
The Geraldino arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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.
Reigning in France when the Geraldino arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Geraldino traces its roots to the northwestern region of France known as Bretagne. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this coastal territory. The name itself is likely a variation of the Germanic name Gerald, which combines the elements for spear and rule. During the seventeenth century, families in this part of France often lived in rural parishes where they worked as farmers or local tradespeople. Life in Bretagne during this era was defined by strong community ties and a deep connection to the land. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the local economy and the unique cultural identity of the Breton people. Over time, the name persisted through generations, marking the family as a stable presence in the history of the province.
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and brave or hardy.
