Map of France showing where the Gesser arms are recorded
The Gesser arms were recorded in Poitiers, c. 1663.
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 Gesser 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 Gesser Family in France
The family name Gesser has deep roots in the historical landscape of western France, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of Poitiers as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Poitiers was a significant center for trade and administration, and families living there were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. The name itself likely evolved from regional linguistic patterns common to the Poitou province, where surnames were frequently derived from specific occupations, personal nicknames, or local geographic markers. As the family established itself in this urban environment, they became part of the social fabric of a city known for its ancient universities and religious history. Over the following generations, the Gesser family moved through the changing political climate of France, maintaining their presence in the region while adapting to the shifting economic opportunities of the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gessare
Old French verb meaning to carry or to bear.
This name
GesserAn occupational surname for a porter or a carrier of goods.
also spelled
Gessier
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Vienne, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Poitiers, 1663
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
handFaith, sincerity and justice
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
handFaith, sincerity and justice
