A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gothier family of France.
Reg. 7724 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'azur à la bande d'arg., ch. de trois cors-de-chasse de gu. et acc. de cinq bes. d'or, 2 en chef et 3 en p.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1571
Where the Gothier Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Gothier arms are recorded
The Gothier arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1571.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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.
Charles IX of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles IX of France
1560–1574
Reigning in France when the Gothier 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Gothier Family in France
The family name Gothier traces its roots to the historical region of Lorraine, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1571. The name itself is likely a variation of the Germanic name Gauthier, which combines elements meaning "ruler of the people" or "army ruler." During the sixteenth century, Lorraine was a crossroads of European culture and politics, situated between the French Kingdom and the Holy Roman Empire. Families living in this area often navigated complex shifts in borders and loyalties, which influenced how surnames were recorded and passed down through generations. By the late 1500s, the Gothier name was already becoming a distinct identifier for families living within the rural and town communities of this borderland, reflecting a long history of settlement in the heart of Western Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gautier
Derived from Germanic elements meaning ruler of the army.
This name
GothierA French patronymic surname originating from the Germanic personal name Walter.
also spelled
Gauthie
Gauthyer
Gotyay
Goteeay
Gothier
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bastien, Jean-Pierre. Les noms de famille en Lorraine. 1999
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
