A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Go family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5771 · Spanish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 la croix fleurdelisée d'or, vidée du champ, cant. de quatre lis du sec.”
Spainc. 1722
Where the Go Arms Were Recorded
Castile
Map of Spain showing where the Go arms are recorded
The Go arms were recorded in Spain, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Castile.
Castile was the heart of Spain and the source of most of its noble families. Land won in the long wars against the Moors was granted out to fighting men, and a man granted land was granted arms along with it.
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 Spain in this period.
Philip V of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip V of Spain
1714–1724
Reigning in Spain when the Go arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Spain
In Spain, a coat of arms was considered a form of property that belonged to the entire family line. These arms were passed down from a father to all his children equally. Younger branches of the family usually kept the original design without needing to add any special marks to distinguish their specific line.
Granting authority
The Cronista Rey de Armas was the official body that regulated and granted coats of arms throughout Spain.
How they got arms
Families often obtained their arms through royal grants or by proving their noble status to the official heraldic authority.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the registers of the Cronista Rey de Armas starting in 1496.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Spain.
Origin & History of the Go Family in Spain
The family name Go has roots that trace back to the rugged landscapes of Castile during the early eighteenth century. By 1722, records confirm that members of the family were established within this region, which served as a central hub for Spanish social and political life at the time. During this period, Castile was a place of transition where families often moved between rural estates and growing administrative centers to manage land and trade. The name likely functioned as a marker of local identity, connecting the family to the specific customs and dialects of the Castilian plateau. As these early ancestors navigated the rigid social structures of the era, they participated in the daily life of a kingdom defined by its deep traditions and shifting borders. Their presence in the historical record during this time suggests a family that was integrated into the local community, contributing to the development of the region as Spain moved into a new century of growth.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un cygne d'azur, m. de gu.”
LanguedocLanguedoc, c. 1663
Where the Go Arms Were Recorded
Languedoc
Map of France showing where the Go arms are recorded
The Go 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 Spain when the Go 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 Go Family in France
The family name Go has deep roots in the southern region of France known as Languedoc. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of this family were already established residents in this area. During the seventeenth century, Languedoc was a vibrant but complex region defined by its agricultural wealth and its unique cultural identity. Families living there at the time were often deeply connected to the local land and the shifting social structures of the French provinces. While the name is short and distinct, it likely evolved from local dialects or specific geographical markers common to the Mediterranean landscape. The presence of the Go family in 1663 suggests they were part of the hardworking population that helped shape the local economy and community life during the reign of King Louis XIV. Their history is a reflection of the enduring nature of families who remained rooted in the rural traditions of southern France for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Godo
Derived from the Germanic tribe known as the Goths.
This name
GoA habitational or ethnic surname referring to an individual of Gothic descent.
also spelled
Gaue
Gauw
Go
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivo de la Real Chancillería de Valladolid, Registro de Ejecutorias. 1722
Archivo Histórico Nacional, Sección Nobleza. 1722
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
