A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Géris family of France.
Reg. 9263 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à trois fers de pique d'or; au chef d'arg., ch. de trois châtaignes dans leur cosse de sin.”
OrleanaisOrleanais, c. 1663
Where the Géris Arms Were Recorded
Orleanais
Map of France showing where the Géris arms are recorded
The Géris arms were recorded in Orleanais, c. 1663.
Orleanais lay on the Loire around Orleans, close enough to Paris for court money to reach it. Officials and lawyers who did well bought estates there, and an estate brought a coat of 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 Géris 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 Orleanais.
Origin & History of the Géris Family in France
The family name Géris finds its roots in the historical province of Orléanais, where members of the family were documented as early as 1663. During this period, the region was a vital agricultural and cultural hub located along the Loire River in central France. Families living in this area often derived their surnames from local geographical landmarks or specific trades practiced within their villages. The name Géris likely evolved from these local linguistic traditions, reflecting the unique dialect spoken by the people of the Orléans countryside during the seventeenth century. As the family established their lives in this region, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the rural economy and the community life that defined the pre-revolutionary era in France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and hardy or brave.
This name
GérisA French patronymic or locative surname originating from the Germanic personal name meaning brave spearman.
also spelled
Geryss
Geriss
Zheris
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Loiret, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil du Loiret
Denis, Jacques, Histoire de l'Orléanais, 1974
Gauvard, Claude, La France au Moyen Âge du Ve au XVe siècle, 2014
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
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
