A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gerding family of France.
Reg. 3539 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ec.: au 1 parti: a. d'or à la demi-aigle de sa., cour. d'or, mouv. du parti; b. de gu. à deux fasces d'arg.; aux 2 et 3 de sa. à un griffon d'or, celui du 3 cont.; au 4 parti: a. de gu. à deux fasces d'arg.; b. d'or à la demi-aigle de sa., cour. d'or, mouv. du parti. Sur le tout un écusson d'azur,”
Francec. 1725
Where the Gerding Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Gerding arms are recorded
The Gerding 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 Gerding 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 Gerding Family in France
The family name Gerding is rooted in the linguistic traditions of Northern Europe, where it likely originated as a descriptive name for people living near specific landmarks or working in particular trades. By the early 18th century, members of the family had established a presence in the region of Bretagne, France. During this era, families in Bretagne were deeply connected to the local agricultural economy and the maritime culture of the Atlantic coast. The name appears in regional records from 1725, suggesting that the family had integrated into the social fabric of the province during a time of significant transition for rural French society. As they settled in this area, the family likely navigated the unique cultural and linguistic landscape of the Breton people, contributing to the local community through their daily work and civic participation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and hardy or brave.
This name
GerdingA patronymic surname indicating a descendant of someone named Gerhard, meaning brave spearman.
also spelled
Gerding
Gerdinge
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses des Côtes-d'Armor, 1992
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
