A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grando family of France.
Reg. 3069 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ec.: au 1 d'azur au lion ramp. et reg. d'arg., arm. et lamp. de gu., tenant de sa patte dextre une épée d'or en pal et appuyant sa sen. sur un bouclier ovale de sa. ch. d'une étoile d'or; aux 2 et 3 de gu. à un lévrier courant d'or, coll. et bouclé du même, soutenu d'une terrasse de sin.; au 4 d'azur à deux tours ruinées d'arg., reliées par une courtine du même.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Grando Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Grando arms are recorded
The Grando 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 Grando 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 Grando Family in France
The surname Grando is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Brittany region of France, where records confirm the family was established by at least 1725. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname, as the root word suggests a connection to someone of large physical stature or perhaps a person of significant importance within their local community. During the early eighteenth century, families in this coastal province often lived in close-knit rural parishes where they worked as farmers or artisans. Life in Brittany at this time was defined by strong regional traditions and a distinct cultural identity that remained separate from the rest of France. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the agricultural and maritime activities that sustained the local economy for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grandis
Latin term meaning large, great, or tall.
This name
GrandoA descriptive nickname for a person of significant physical stature or high social status.
also spelled
Grandot
Grandault
Grando
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albert Dauzat, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Marie-Thérèse Morlet, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Collection de l'état civil
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
