A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gonthier family of Belgium.
Reg. 6810 · Belgian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
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 la bande d'arg.”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the Gonthier Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Gonthier arms are recorded
The Gonthier arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1737.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Belgium when the Gonthier arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Gonthier Family in Belgium
The name Gonthier is a variation of the ancient Germanic name Gunther, which combines the words for battle and warrior. This name became popular across Europe during the Middle Ages because of its strong association with legendary heroes and military prowess. By the early eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Brabant. Records from 1737 confirm that members of the Gonthier family were active participants in the local community during this time. They were likely involved in the agricultural or trade-based economy that defined the landscape of the Low Countries. As the family grew, they integrated into the social fabric of the region, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the long history of migration and settlement in Western Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gundhari
Derived from Germanic elements meaning battle and army or warrior.
This name
GonthierA surname of Germanic origin signifying a bold or powerful warrior in battle.
also spelled
Gontier
Gonthyer
Gontiye
Gunther
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Förstemann, Ernst. Altdeutsches Namenbuch. 1900
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
