A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gerhauser family of France.
Reg. 6355 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la bande de sa., ch. de trois étoiles du champ. Cq. cour. C.: un demi-vol, aux armes de l'écu.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Gerhauser Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Gerhauser arms are recorded
The Gerhauser 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 Gerhauser 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 Gerhauser Family in France
The surname Gerhauser traces its roots to the Germanic regions of Europe, where it functioned as a topographic name for individuals living near a specific type of settlement or farm. The prefix "Ger" likely refers to a spear or a triangular piece of land, while "hauser" denotes a dweller or householder. By 1725, members of the family had established a presence in the region of Bretagne, France. This migration suggests that the family was part of the broader movement of people across European borders during the eighteenth century, likely seeking new opportunities in agriculture or trade. Settling in Bretagne placed the family within a distinct cultural landscape, where they integrated into the local community while maintaining their ancestral identity. Over time, the name evolved through regional dialects, reflecting the family's transition from their Germanic origins to their new life in western France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and hardy or brave.
This name
GerhauserAn occupational or habitational name referring to someone living near a spear-maker's house.
also spelled
Gerhausser
Gerhausere
Gerhowzer
Related arms
Günthersimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon, 1967
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen, 1903
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
