A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Germain family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4136 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à une fleur-de-lis d'arg.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Germain Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Germain arms are recorded
The Germain arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 Germain 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Germain Family in France
The name Germain traces its roots back to the Latin word Germanus, which translates to brother or someone of the same blood. In France, the name became popular because of Saint Germain, a famous bishop who lived in the fifth century and was highly respected across the country. By the time the family was established in Normandy in 1663, the name had already spread through many French provinces as a common way to identify people. Families bearing this name often lived as farmers or tradespeople in rural villages. During the seventeenth century, many individuals with this surname were part of the steady movement of people across northern France. Their presence in Normandy during this period shows that they were settled members of the community who contributed to the local economy and social life of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. a crescent betw. two mullets in pale ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Germain Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Germain arms are recorded
The Germain arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Germain arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Germain Family in England
The surname Germain traces its roots back to the Latin name Germanus, which translates to mean a brother or a person of the same stock. While the name has deep connections to continental Europe, it established a firm presence in England by the early seventeenth century. Records confirm that members of the Germain family were living in the historic city of York by 1620. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that these early settlers were likely involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled trades that defined the city’s economy. As the family integrated into English society, they contributed to the social fabric of Yorkshire, moving from their initial arrival into roles that helped shape the local community. This transition from a name of foreign origin to a recognized part of the York population highlights the way families moved and settled across England during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Germanus
Latin word meaning brother or of the same stock.
This name
GermainRefers to a person of brotherly nature or one originating from Germany.
also spelled
Germaine
Jermain
Zherman
Germayn
Germayne
Related arms
Jermainvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil. 1663
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fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
