A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gilli family of France.
Reg. 2229 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
phoenixRebirth, and survival through fire
fireZeal and purification
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'azur à un phénix d'or, enveloppé de flammes de gu. sur un autel d'arg., et fixant un soleil d'or, mouv. du canton dextre du chef.”
LanguedocLanguedoc, c. 1733
Where the Gilli Arms Were Recorded
Languedoc
Map of France showing where the Gilli arms are recorded
The Gilli arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1733.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Gilli 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 Languedoc.
Origin & History of the Gilli Family in France
The Gilli family name has deep roots in the Languedoc region of southern France, where records confirm their presence as early as 1733. The name itself is likely a variant of the medieval personal name Gilles, which was a popular choice across Europe during the Middle Ages. Families in this part of France often lived in rural communities focused on agriculture and viticulture, which shaped their daily lives and social standing. By the eighteenth century, the Gilli family was well-established within the local social fabric, participating in the customs and economic activities typical of the Languedoc landscape. As the family grew, they became part of the long history of the region, contributing to the local culture and community life that defined this historic corner of France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aegidius
Derived from the Greek word for a goatskin shield or protection.
This name
GilliA diminutive form of names starting with Gil, signifying a protected individual.
also spelled
Gilly
Jilee
Related arms
Gillyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Hérault, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Boutier, Jean, Les sociétés rurales en France au XVIIIe siècle, 2005
Le Roy Ladurie, Emmanuel, Les paysans de Languedoc, 1966
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
phoenixRebirth, and survival through fire
fireZeal and purification
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
phoenixRebirth, and survival through fire
fireZeal and purification
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
