A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Godard family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9083 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'azur à la fasce d'arg., acc. de quatre croix pommetées d'or, 3 rangées en chef et 1 en p.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1609
Where the Godard Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Godard arms are recorded
The Godard arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1609.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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.
Henry IV of France
Sovereign of the period
Henry IV of France
1589–1610
Reigning in France when the Godard 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Godard Family in France
The family name Godard traces its roots to the ancient Germanic personal name Godhard, which combines the elements for god and hardy or brave. By the time the name became established in the Lorraine region of France, it had evolved from a given name into a hereditary surname used to identify specific family lineages. Records confirm that members of the Godard family were living in Lorraine by 1609, a period when the region served as a vital crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between the French kingdom and the Holy Roman Empire. Families in this area often lived in close-knit rural communities where they worked as farmers, craftsmen, or local officials. As the name spread through the French countryside, it became a marker of identity for families who maintained deep ties to their local parishes and regional traditions. The persistence of the Godard name in Lorraine during the early seventeenth century highlights the family's role in the long-term history of the region as it transitioned through various political and social changes.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Erm. a cross patonce sa. in the first quarter an eagl. displ. gu”
EnglandLondon, c. 1598
Where the Godard Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Godard arms are recorded
The Godard arms were recorded in London, c. 1598.
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 England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in France when the Godard arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales 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 England.
Origin & History of the Godard Family in England
The surname Godard has deep roots that stretch back to the early medieval period, evolving from the Old Germanic name Godhard, which translates to good and hardy or strong in spirit. By the time the name appeared in London records during the late sixteenth century, it had already become a well-established fixture of English society. Families bearing this name were often involved in the bustling trade and civic life of the city, contributing to the growth of London as a major European hub. Because the name was passed down through generations, it reflects the movement and settlement patterns of people across the English countryside before they eventually gathered in the capital. These early Godard families were part of the foundational fabric of London, living through a time of great social change and economic expansion in the years surrounding 1598.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Godhard
Derived from the Germanic elements god meaning god and hard meaning brave.
This name
GodardA surname of Germanic origin signifying a person who is brave or hardy in spirit.
also spelled
Godar
Godart
Goderd
Related arms
Troismontssame arms
Amorysimilar arms
Brocourtsimilar arms
Godarvariant 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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
