A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Goni family of France.
Reg. 1354 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à deux broyes d'azur, l'une sur l'autre, acc. en chef d'un croiss. du même; aux 2 et 3 d'azur au lion d'or, lamp. de gu.”
VelayVelay, c. 1663
Where the Goni Arms Were Recorded
Velay
Map of France showing where the Goni arms are recorded
The Goni arms were recorded in Velay, c. 1663.
Velay was high volcanic country in south-central France, poor and remote. Its gentry held small estates for centuries, and long tenure counted for far more than wealth.
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 Goni 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 Velay.
Origin & History of the Goni Family in France
The family name Goni traces its roots to the rugged landscape of the Velay region in south-central France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this volcanic territory, which is known for its high plateaus and deep river valleys. During the seventeenth century, life in Velay was defined by a strong connection to the land and the local parish system. Families like the Goni were often involved in the agricultural cycles of the Massif Central, where they navigated the challenges of a harsh climate and isolated mountain terrain. As they settled into these rural communities, the Goni name became part of the local social fabric, reflecting the persistence and resilience of families who built their lives in the shadow of the ancient extinct volcanoes that dominate the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gund
A Germanic element meaning battle or war.
This name
GoniA locative surname derived from the Basque word for a corner or angle.
also spelled
Goni
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales de la Haute-Loire, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la commune de Velay
Albert Dauzat, Les noms de famille de France, 1945
Marie-Thérèse Morlet, 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.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
