A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gereau family of France.
Reg. 1000 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à la bande de gu.; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à trois fasces de gu. et à la bord. de sa. ch. de dix bes. d'or.”
GuyenneGuyenne, c. 1663
Where the Gereau Arms Were Recorded
Guyenne
Map of France showing where the Gereau arms are recorded
The Gereau arms were recorded in Guyenne, c. 1663.
Guyenne was the great wine country of south-western France, shipping claret to England for centuries. The trade made merchant families rich, they bought vineyards and estates with the money, and land of that kind brought arms with it.
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 Gereau 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 Guyenne.
Origin & History of the Gereau Family in France
The family name Gereau has deep roots in the southwestern region of France known as Guyenne. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, which was historically defined by its strong ties to the wine trade and its unique cultural identity. The name itself is thought to be a variation of Germanic names like Giraud or Gerald, which were brought into the French language during the early Middle Ages. Families with this name were often part of the local rural society, working as landowners or skilled tradespeople who helped shape the economy of the region. Because Guyenne was a crossroads for travelers and merchants, the Gereau family likely lived in a vibrant environment that blended local traditions with broader European influences. Over the centuries, the family name became a permanent marker of their presence in the French countryside, reflecting a long history of resilience and community building in the heart of the province.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and brave or hardy.
This name
GereauA French patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Gerard.
also spelled
Gereau
Gereault
Zhero
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales de la Gironde, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Bouchard, Gérard, Origines des familles québécoises, 1996
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
