A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gres family of France.
Reg. 9496 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à une croix alésée d'or; à la bord. du même, ch. de douze tourt. du champ; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à un écusson d'arg. en abîme, ch. de trois bandes de sa., accompagnées en chef d'un tourt. du même.”
GuyenneGuyenne, c. 1663
Where the Gres Arms Were Recorded
Guyenne
Map of France showing where the Gres arms are recorded
The Gres arms were recorded in Guyenne, c. 1663.
Guyenne was the great wine country of south-western France, shipping claret to England for centuries. The trade made merchant families rich, they bought vineyards and estates with the money, and land of that kind brought arms with it.
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 France when the Gres 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 Guyenne.
Origin & History of the Gres Family in France
The family name Gres has deep roots in the historical region of Guyenne, located in southwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of this area. The name likely originated as a topographic descriptor, as the word "grès" refers to sandstone or gritstone in the French language. Families during this period often adopted surnames based on the specific landscape where they lived or worked. Given the geography of Guyenne, which features varied terrain and river valleys, it is probable that early ancestors were farmers or laborers who lived near prominent rocky outcrops. Over time, this descriptive nickname became a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations as the family grew and settled into the local community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Grès
Old French term for sandstone or stony ground.
This name
GresA topographic name for someone who lived on or near sandy, stony soil.
also spelled
Pelissiergres
Pelisee du Gre
Pelissier
Gres
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
