Map of France showing where the Gossen arms are recorded
The Gossen arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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 Gossen 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 Languedoc.
Origin & History of the Gossen Family in France
The family name Gossen traces its roots back to the southern regions of France, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the Languedoc province by 1663. During this period, the name was likely associated with families living in rural communities where local records were kept by parish churches. The name itself is thought to be a variation of Germanic or Old French personal names that evolved over generations as families moved across different regions. By the mid-seventeenth century, those bearing the name were often involved in agricultural life or local trade, which was typical for families living in the Languedoc area at the time. As the family grew and spread, the spelling of the name occasionally shifted to reflect the local dialects spoken in southern France. These early records provide a clear glimpse into the lives of ancestors who established their roots in the region long before the modern era.
Gossen Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Gode
Derived from the Germanic word for god or good.
This name
GossenA patronymic surname signifying a descendant of someone named God or Good.
also spelled
Gaussin
Gosen
Gawsen
Gossen
Gauson
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Hérault, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de l'Hérault, 1663
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lambGentleness, patience and faith
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lambGentleness, patience and faith
beeIndustry, order and tireless work
