A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Godefroy family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4472 · Dutch, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à un arbre de sin., accosté en pied de deux poses affr. au nat. (Godefroy); aux 2 et 3 d'or à la croix de gu. (de Rechteren van Hemert). Deux cq., le cour. C.: 1° un arbre iss. de sin. (Godefroy); 2° deux trompes iss. d'or, posées en chev. renv. (de Rechteren van Hemert).”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Godefroy Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Godefroy arms are recorded
The Godefroy arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry arms.
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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Godefroy Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Godefroy arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Godefroy Family in Netherlands
The name Godefroy carries a rich history that traces its roots back to ancient Germanic origins, meaning "peace of God." While the name is often associated with French and Belgian regions, its presence in the Netherlands became firmly established by the early nineteenth century. Records show that members of the Godefroy family were living in the province of Friesland by 1815. During this period, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social changes following the end of the Napoleonic era. Families like the Godefroys often moved across borders to pursue new opportunities in trade or administration during this time of national rebuilding. By settling in northern provinces like Friesland, these individuals became part of the local fabric, contributing to the diverse cultural identity of the Dutch people as the country transitioned into a modern kingdom.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
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 trois bandes d'or.”
LyonnaisParis · Lyonnais, c. 1663
Where the Godefroy Arms Were Recorded
Lyonnais
Map of France showing where the Godefroy arms are recorded
The Godefroy arms were recorded in Lyonnais, c. 1663.
Lyonnais centred on Lyon, one of the great banking and silk towns of France. Money made in the city bought estates in the countryside around it, and those estates brought arms with them.
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 Netherlands when the Godefroy 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 Lyonnais.
Origin & History of the Godefroy Family in France
The name Godefroy finds its roots in the ancient Germanic language, combining the words for "god" and "peace." By the time the name became established in France, it had evolved into a common given name that eventually transitioned into a hereditary surname. While families bearing this name were scattered across various provinces, records confirm that members of the Godefroy line were firmly settled in the Lyonnais region by 1663. During this period, families in the Lyonnais were often deeply connected to the local trade networks and the agricultural life of the Rhône valley. As the name passed from one generation to the next, it became a marker of identity for those living through the social and political shifts of the seventeenth century in central France. This transition from a personal name to a family identifier reflects the broader trend of how French surnames were solidified during the early modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Godafrid
Derived from Germanic elements meaning god and peace or protection.
This name
GodefroyA name signifying peace granted by God or divine protection.
also spelled
Godefroye
Godefroyy
Related arms
Graveronsimilar arms
le Floc'hsimilar arms
Montengyssimilar arms
Véritésimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie, Bevolkingsregister van Friesland, 1815
Tresoar, Friese Burgerlijke Stand, 1815
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
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
