A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Geri family of France.
Reg. 8417 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
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)
“D'azur au chev. d'arg., acc. de trois étoiles du même.”
MaineMaine, c. 1663
Where the Geri Arms Were Recorded
Maine
Map of France showing where the Geri arms are recorded
The Geri arms were recorded in Maine, c. 1663.
Maine was quiet farming country in western France, held in small manors by families who stayed for generations. Nothing about it was grand, but steady landholding is exactly what puts a name in the registers.
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 Geri 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 Maine.
Origin & History of the Geri Family in France
The surname Geri traces its roots back to ancient linguistic traditions, often serving as a shortened form of Germanic names like Gerald or Gerhardt. These names typically combined elements meaning spear and rule, suggesting that early ancestors were viewed as strong leaders or warriors. By the time the family established a presence in Maine in 1663, the name had evolved through various regional dialects in Europe before crossing the Atlantic. Settling in the rugged landscape of colonial Maine required immense resilience, as these early family members had to adapt to a harsh climate and a frontier lifestyle. This transition from European origins to the coastal settlements of New England marks a significant chapter in the family history, reflecting the broader movement of families seeking new opportunities in the American wilderness during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and hardy or brave.
This name
GeriA French diminutive form indicating a descendant of one who is brave with a spear.
also spelled
Gueherie
Gueherys
Geri
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Maine State Archives, Province and Court Records of Maine, 1663
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
