A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gerez family of France.
Reg. 7592 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“De gu. à un griffon d'arg.; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles d'or.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1663
Where the Gerez Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Gerez arms are recorded
The Gerez arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 Gerez 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Gerez Family in France
The family name Gerez has deep roots in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, this area was a unique crossroads of culture, as it transitioned from the influence of the Spanish Habsburgs to the control of the French crown. Families living in this mountainous borderland often worked as skilled artisans, farmers, or local administrators who helped maintain the stability of their small villages. Because the region was frequently affected by wars and shifting borders, the Gerez family likely developed a strong sense of local identity and resilience. By staying rooted in their ancestral lands, they helped shape the social fabric of the Franche-Comté during a time of significant political change in Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and brave or hardy.
This name
GerezA patronymic surname originating from the given name Gerard, signifying son of the spear-brave one.
also spelled
Geres
Zherazay
Gerez
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Doubs, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Festery, Maurice, Histoire de la Franche-Comté, 1970
Gauthier, Jules, Dictionnaire des communes du département du Doubs, 1886
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
