A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gere family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur, chapé d'arg. C.: cinq pl. d'aut., alt. d'arg. et d'azur”
The Gere arms were recorded in Denmark, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Sjaælland.
Zealand held the Danish court, the crown's offices and Copenhagen itself. Families who served the king kept estates within reach of it, and royal service was the ordinary route to a coat of arms.
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 Denmark in this period.
Reigning in Denmark when the Gere arms are first recorded.
Danish heraldry during this period was closely tied to noble status and royal favor rather than being open to all citizens. Arms were typically granted by the monarch to individuals, and these symbols were then shared by all members of the noble house. If a family line died out, the right to use those specific arms ended with them.
The history of the Gere family in Denmark is rooted in the rural landscapes of Sjælland, where the name first appeared in official records during the early eighteenth century. By 1722, members of the family were established residents on the island, living during a time when Denmark was transitioning from a feudal society to a more structured administrative state. During this era, most families in the region were tied to the land through agricultural labor or service to local manors. The name Gere likely emerged as a way to distinguish this specific family within their local parish community as census taking and church registrations became more standardized. As the family grew, they became part of the backbone of Sjælland’s local history, contributing to the development of the island’s farming traditions and village life for generations.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coatSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Gu. a fesse erm. betw. six. mascles or”
The Gere arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of arms.
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 England in this period.
Reigning in Denmark when the Gere arms are first recorded.
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
The surname Gere has deep roots in the southwestern corner of England, particularly within the county of Devon. By the early 17th century, families bearing this name were well-established in the region, living as part of the local agricultural and merchant communities. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older Middle English terms that described a person’s temperament or physical appearance, often relating to someone who was considered changeable or quick-witted. As these families settled into Devonshire life, they became part of the fabric of rural English society, participating in the parish systems and local trade that defined the era. By 1620, the Gere family was already a recognized part of the Devon landscape, contributing to the development of the local economy and the growth of the English countryside during a time of significant social change.
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and hardy or brave.
