A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Girard family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 1027 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à la fasce de gu., ch. d'un lion léopardé d'or et acc. en p. d'une quintefeuille d'azur; aux 2 et 3 d'or à trois merlettes de sa. Sur le tout de Girard, qui est losangé d'arg. et de gu.”
Francec. 1652
Where the Girard Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Girard arms are recorded
The Girard arms were recorded in France, c. 1652.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Girard 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 Girard Family in France
The name Girard finds its origins in the Germanic language, specifically derived from the ancient name Gerhard, which combines the elements for spear and strength. As the name spread across France during the Middle Ages, it became a popular choice because it represented the qualities of a brave warrior. By the time the family was firmly established in the region of Bretagne in 1652, the name had already become deeply rooted in the local culture. Families bearing this name were often involved in the agricultural and maritime life that defined the Breton coast. Because the name was common throughout many French provinces, those who carried it were part of a widespread social network that helped shape the development of rural communities. Over the centuries, the Girard family became a standard part of the French population, contributing to the growth of local parishes and the historical identity of the western territories.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'azur à une croix alésée vidée d'arg., en forme de deux jumelles passées en croix.”
SwitzerlandBâle, c. 1745
Where the Girard Arms Were Recorded
Bâle
Map of Switzerland showing where the Girard arms are recorded
The Girard arms were recorded in Bâle, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Girard Family in Switzerland
The surname Girard has deep roots in the French-speaking regions of Switzerland, where it evolved from the ancient Germanic name Gerhard, meaning brave with a spear. By the time members of the family were documented in Bâle in 1745, the name had already been established in the Swiss landscape for several centuries. Families bearing this name often settled in the Jura mountains and the cantons of Neuchâtel and Vaud, where they became known for their contributions to local craftsmanship and trade. As the family moved into urban centers like Bâle during the eighteenth century, they integrated into the professional life of the city, often working as merchants or skilled artisans. This migration reflected the broader movement of families across Swiss borders during the Enlightenment, as people sought new opportunities in growing trade hubs. Through these transitions, the Girard name remained a consistent marker of the family’s long history of adaptation and endurance within the Swiss confederation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
The body that granted and recorded arms in Jersey in this period.
James II of England
Sovereign of the period
James II of England
1685–1688
Reigning in France when the Girard arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Jersey
Arms in the Channel Islands were granted and recorded by the College of Arms in London, under the same law of arms as England. They could be used by all legitimate descendants of the original owner: the eldest son kept the original design, and other family members used the same shield without registering a version of their own.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms for Jersey and the other Channel Islands since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Jersey.
Origin & History of the Girard Family in Jersey
The Girard family established a firm presence on the island of Jersey by 1688, becoming deeply integrated into the local community during a period of significant social change. The name itself originates from the Germanic elements meaning spear and brave, reflecting a long history of military or protective roles in medieval Europe before the family migrated to the Channel Islands. Once settled in Jersey, the Girards became part of the island’s unique blend of French and English cultural influences. They often worked as farmers or artisans, contributing to the island’s maritime economy and its distinct legal traditions. By participating in local parish life and parish records, the family helped shape the social fabric of the island for generations. Their transition from continental roots to the specific environment of Jersey highlights how families adapted to island life while maintaining their ancestral identity through the preservation of their surname.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and hardy or brave.
This name
GirardA French surname signifying a brave or strong spearman.
also spelled
Gyrard
Girar
Jirard
Gerard
Gerrard
Related arms
Gerardvariant spelling
Gerrardvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives départementales du Finistère. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil. 1652
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cinquefoilHope and joy
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
