A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gévaudan family of France.
Reg. 4816 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à la croix d'arg., acc. aux 1 et 4 d'un soleil d'or et aux 2 et 3 d'un croiss. d'arg.”
ProvenceProvence, c. 1663
Where the Gévaudan Arms Were Recorded
Provence
Map of France showing where the Gévaudan arms are recorded
The Gévaudan arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement is what fills a register.
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 Gévaudan 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 Provence.
Origin & History of the Gévaudan Family in France
The family name Gévaudan is deeply rooted in the geography of southern France, specifically originating from the historic province of Gévaudan located in the Massif Central. As a locative surname, it was originally adopted by individuals to identify their place of origin before they migrated to other regions. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in Provence, a region known for its vibrant trade and agricultural communities. This migration was likely driven by the search for new economic opportunities or the movement of people across the diverse landscapes of the French countryside. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of the family’s heritage, linking their identity to both the rugged mountains of their ancestral home and the sun-drenched plains of their new life in Provence.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gabali
Ancient Celtic tribe inhabiting the region of modern-day Lozère.
This name
GévaudanRefers to a person originating from the historical province of Gévaudan.
also spelled
Gevaudann
Gevauden
Gevodan
Jevodan
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives Départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
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
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
cross symbolChristian faith and service
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
