A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Godeau family of France.
Reg. 9366 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à une étoile, acc. de trois trèfles, celui en p. soutenu d'un croiss., le tout d'arg.”
MaineMaine, c. 1663
Where the Godeau Arms Were Recorded
Maine
Map of France showing where the Godeau arms are recorded
The Godeau arms were recorded in Maine, c. 1663.
Maine was quiet farming country in western France, held in small manors by families who stayed for generations. Nothing about it was grand, but steady landholding is exactly what puts a name in the registers.
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 Godeau 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 Maine.
Origin & History of the Godeau Family in France
The surname Godeau originates from the historical provinces of western France, where it likely functioned as a descriptive nickname or a variation of ancient personal names. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family were among the early European settlers who crossed the Atlantic to establish a presence in the region of Maine. Official records confirm that individuals bearing this name were living in the area by 1663, participating in the challenging life of the frontier during the period of French colonial expansion. These early ancestors were often involved in trade, agriculture, or the maritime activities that defined the coastal settlements of the time. Their migration reflects the broader movement of families seeking new opportunities in North America, and their early arrival helped establish a lasting legacy for the name in the historical landscape of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gode
Derived from the Germanic element god meaning good or god.
This name
GodeauA diminutive form indicating a descendant of someone named Gode, meaning good one.
also spelled
Godeaue
Godeaux
Godo
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Jetté, René. Dictionnaire généalogique des familles du Québec. 1983
Tanguay, Cyprien. Dictionnaire généalogique des familles canadiennes depuis la fondation de la colonie jusqu'à nos jours. 1871
Library and Archives Canada. Recensement de la Nouvelle-France. 1666
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
