A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Got family of France.
Reg. 3896 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
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)
“D'azur à l'aigle d'or, bq., m. et cour. de gu.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Got Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Got arms are recorded
The Got arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Got 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 France.
Origin & History of the Got Family in France
The surname Got has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm family members were established by 1725. The name itself is thought to be an ancient nickname derived from the Old French word got, which was often used to describe a person with a particular physical trait or a specific personality type. During the eighteenth century, families in this coastal area were frequently tied to the land or maritime trades, living in small, tight-knit communities where names were passed down through generations to maintain local identity. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, navigating the changing political and economic landscape of pre-revolutionary France. By settling in Brittany, the early members of the Got family contributed to the long history of a province known for its distinct culture and strong traditions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gode
Derived from the Germanic element meaning god or deity.
This name
GotA locative or occupational surname referring to a person associated with a god or divine status.
also spelled
Legot
Got
Le Got
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Collection de l'état civil
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, 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.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
