A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gervasi family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5670 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 croix de sa., cant. de quatre roses de gu.”
DauphineMilanais · Dauphine, c. 1663
Where the Gervasi Arms Were Recorded
Dauphine
Map of France showing where the Gervasi arms are recorded
The Gervasi arms were recorded in Dauphine, c. 1663.
Dauphine lay in the mountains of south-eastern France, a country of small estates and scattered valleys. Its gentry were many and mostly modest, and even a small landholding was enough to justify 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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Gervasi 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 Dauphine.
Origin & History of the Gervasi Family in France
The surname Gervasi finds its roots in the Latin name Gervasius, which evolved through various regional dialects before becoming established in the southeastern regions of France. By the mid-seventeenth century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-integrated into the social fabric of the Dauphiné province. During this era, the Dauphiné served as a vital crossroads between the Alps and the Rhône Valley, making it a place where families often held roles in local agriculture, trade, or regional administration. As the name spread through these mountainous communities, it became a marker of local identity for families who lived through the shifting political and religious landscapes of the French kingdom. The presence of the Gervasi name in 1663 suggests that these early ancestors were settled inhabitants who contributed to the long-standing traditions of this distinct alpine territory.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
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'arg. à un cerf pass. au nat.”
SicilySicily, c. 1775
Where the Gervasi Arms Were Recorded
Sicily
Map of Italy showing where the Gervasi arms are recorded
The Gervasi arms were recorded in Sicily, c. 1775.
Sicily was ruled in turn by Normans, Germans, French and Spanish, and each left landed families behind. The island kept formal lists of its noble houses, which is why so many Sicilian names carry recorded 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 Italy in this period.
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
Sovereign of the period
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
1763–1778
Reigning in France when the Gervasi arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Italy
In the Italian states, coats of arms were often used by noble families to show their status and history. These symbols were passed down through the generations to all legitimate male descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design but sometimes added small changes to distinguish their specific line from the main branch.
Granting authority
Various local rulers and city governments controlled the use of coats of arms across the different Italian states.
How they got arms
Families often assumed their own arms or received them as official grants from local lords, popes, or city councils.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in local city archives or private family books rather than in one single national register.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Sicily.
Origin & History of the Gervasi Family in Italy
The family name Gervasi traces its roots to the ancient Latin name Gervasius, which eventually evolved into a common surname across the Italian peninsula. By the late 18th century, the name was firmly established in Sicily, a region shaped by a complex blend of Mediterranean cultures and traditions. During this period, families named Gervasi were often integrated into the local agricultural and artisanal communities that defined Sicilian village life. Because the name is derived from a personal name rather than a specific geographic location, it likely spread through various regions as different branches of the family moved for trade or work. By 1775, the Gervasi family was already a recognized part of the social fabric in Sicily, living through a time of significant economic transition under the rule of the Bourbon kings. Their presence in official records from this era highlights their role as established citizens contributing to the local history of the island.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gervasius
Derived from the Latin word for spear or spearman.
This name
GervasiAn occupational or habitational name indicating a descendant of a spear-wielder.
also spelled
Gervais
Gervasio
Jervasi
Gervasee
Gervase
Related arms
Gervaisvariant spelling
Adamolirecorded with Gervasi, same area
Gervais de St.-Laurentrecorded with Gervasi, same area
Landrianrecorded with Gervasi, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Isère, Registres paroissiaux de l'état civil de la province du Dauphiné, 1663
Bouchage, Honoré, Histoire des corporations de métiers de la province du Dauphiné, 1887
Moreri, Louis, Le Grand Dictionnaire historique, ou le mélange curieux de l'histoire sacrée et profane, 1759
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
