A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gilley family of France.
Reg. 2749 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à un chêne de sin., terrassé du même.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1494
Where the Gilley Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Gilley arms are recorded
The Gilley arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1494.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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.
Charles VIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles VIII of France
1483–1498
Reigning in France when the Gilley 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Gilley Family in France
The family name Gilley has deep roots in the historical region of Franche-Comté, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1494. During this period, the region was a strategic territory located between the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire, which influenced the lives and movements of local families. The name likely evolved from regional naming customs or occupational descriptions common to the people living in the Jura Mountains and the surrounding valleys. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local social structure of the province, often participating in the agricultural and administrative life of their communities. By remaining in this specific area for generations, the early Gilleys helped shape the local culture and history of eastern France long before the name spread to other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gilles
Derived from the Greek word for a young goat or shield-bearer.
This name
GilleyA patronymic form indicating a descendant of someone named Gilles.
also spelled
Gilley
Gilley-Franquemont
Jilay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Gautherot, Gustave, Les relations de la France avec le comté de Bourgogne, 1907
Archives départementales du Doubs, Série B: Cours et juridictions, 1494
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
