Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à la fasce d'or, ch. d'une étoile de gu. et acc. de trois coquilles d'arg.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gour family of France.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à la fasce d'or, ch. d'une étoile de gu. et acc. de trois coquilles d'arg.”
The Gour arms were recorded in Bresse, c. 1725.
Bresse was flat farming country in eastern France, known for its poultry and its markets. Its landed families were modest and long-settled, and steady holding of the same ground is what fills a register.
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.
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.
The family name Gour has deep roots in the historical region of Bresse, a fertile area located in eastern France. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the Gour family were well-established residents within this landscape, which was historically known for its distinct agricultural traditions and salt production. The name itself is thought to be topographical in origin, likely derived from the Old French word "gour," which refers to a deep pool or a body of water. Families living near such geographical features often adopted the term as a way to identify their home or their trade. Over time, the Gour family became integrated into the local society of Bresse, contributing to the rural economy and the social fabric of the region long before the major political shifts of the late eighteenth century.
A Germanic term referring to a garden or an enclosed space.
