A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gregoire family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8803 · Belgian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 d'arg. au lion de gu.; au 2 d'or à un cor-de-chasse de gu., lié, eng. et vir. d'arg., en chef, et une étoile d'azur en p. C.: le lion, iss.”
LiegeLiege, c. 1737
Where the Gregoire Arms Were Recorded
Liege
Map of Belgium showing where the Gregoire arms are recorded
The Gregoire arms were recorded in Liege, c. 1737.
Liege was a prosperous town and its surrounding country, living on metalworking and trade. Merchant families grew rich, bought land outside the walls, and took arms as landowners rather than tradesmen.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Belgium when the Gregoire arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Liege.
Origin & History of the Gregoire Family in Belgium
The name Gregoire finds its roots in the ancient Greek name Gregorios, which means watchful or alert. By the time the name became established in the region of Liege during the early eighteenth century, it had evolved into a common surname throughout the French-speaking parts of Belgium. In 1737, records confirm that families bearing this name were already active participants in the local community of Liege. At that time, Liege was a prominent center for trade and craftsmanship within the Prince-Bishopric of Liege. Families like the Gregoires often lived in dense urban settings where they worked as skilled laborers or merchants. Because the name was derived from a popular saint, it was frequently passed down through generations as a way to honor religious traditions. These early Gregoires were part of the backbone of Walloon society, living through a period of significant industrial growth and political transition in the Meuse River valley.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à trois têtes et cols de lion d'azur.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1650
Where the Gregoire Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Gregoire arms are recorded
The Gregoire arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1650.
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.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Belgium when the Gregoire 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 Gregoire Family in France
The surname Gregoire finds its roots in the ancient Greek name Gregorios, which translates to the watchful or the alert. As this name spread across Europe, it became closely tied to the influence of the Catholic Church and the popularity of various popes who bore the name. By the middle of the seventeenth century, the Gregoire family was firmly established in the Lorraine region of northeastern France. This area was a historical crossroads where French and Germanic cultures often met, creating a unique environment for families to grow and settle. Living in Lorraine during the 1650s meant that these early ancestors were part of a resilient population navigating a landscape shaped by shifting borders and regional traditions. The name served as a link to a long lineage of individuals who maintained their presence in these rural communities through generations of agricultural life and local craftsmanship.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gregorius
Derived from the Greek word meaning to be watchful or alert.
This name
GregoireA French surname signifying a vigilant or watchful person.
also spelled
Gregwar
Related arms
du Tronchaysame arms
Veuhesame arms
Gregoryvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Herbillon, Jules and Germain, Jean, Dictionnaire des noms de famille en Belgique romane et dans les régions limitrophes, 1996
Archives de l'État à Liège, Registres paroissiaux de la ville de Liège, 1737
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
lionCourage, strength and royalty
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
