Map of France showing where the Giroux arms are recorded
The Giroux arms were recorded in Bourgogne, c. 1663.
Bourgogne was one of the richest parts of France, built on wine, wool and the roads that carried both. Wealth of that kind bought land, and land brought arms, so the region filled with armed families earlier than most of the country.
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 Giroux 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 Bourgogne.
Origin & History of the Giroux Family in France
The surname Giroux originates from the historical region of Bourgogne in France. It is a diminutive form of the name Giraud, which itself comes from the ancient Germanic name Gerwald. This name combines the elements for spear and rule, suggesting that early ancestors were likely viewed as strong leaders or warriors. By the year 1663, records confirm that families bearing this name were well established within the Bourgogne area. During this period, many people with the name Giroux worked in agriculture or as skilled tradespeople in the growing villages of central France. As the family grew, members began to move into different parts of the country, eventually carrying their name across the Atlantic to North America. The name remains a reflection of these deep roots in the French countryside and the long history of the families who first held it.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Girold
Derived from the Germanic elements meaning spear and rule.
This name
GirouxA diminutive form of the name Girard, often referring to a spear-wielder.
also spelled
Giro de Vessey
Jiroux de Vessey
Giroux de Vesse
Zhiroo de Vesay
Zhiroo de Vesey
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
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
