A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gis family of France.
Reg. 3244 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“De gu. à trois fleurs de gesse ou fleurs de lis d'arg., 2 et 1; à la bande d'or, ch. de huit tourt. de sa., br. sur les fleurs [V. Guyon de Geis de Pampelonne.]”
LanguedocLanguedoc, c. 1663
Where the Gis Arms Were Recorded
Languedoc
Map of France showing where the Gis arms are recorded
The Gis arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Gis 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 Gis Family in France
The family name Gis traces its roots to the Languedoc region of southern France, where records confirm their presence as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, this area was a hub of agricultural activity and religious transition, which likely shaped the daily lives of the family members living there. The name itself is thought to be a shortened form of names common to the Occitan-speaking populations of the time. Families in this region often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where they worked the land or engaged in local trade. By settling in Languedoc, the early Gis family became part of a long history of provincial life that defined the social structure of southern France for generations. Their presence in official documents from this period suggests they were established members of their local parish or village, participating in the community life that defined the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gisil
A Germanic term referring to a hostage or a noble pledge.
This name
GisA surname derived from a short form of Germanic names containing the element meaning pledge.
also spelled
Geise
Geiss
Gis
Gice
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
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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
