A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Groo family of France.
Reg. 9203 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 l'aigle d'or, acc. au canton dextre du chef d'un croiss. d'arg.”
PicardiePicardie, c. 1663
Where the Groo Arms Were Recorded
Picardie
Map of France showing where the Groo arms are recorded
The Groo arms were recorded in Picardie, c. 1663.
Picardie lay on the northern road into France and saw armies pass through it repeatedly. Its landowners were soldiers as often as farmers, and a soldier needed a shield he could be recognised by.
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 Groo 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 Picardie.
Origin & History of the Groo Family in France
The family name Groo finds its historical roots in the northern region of Picardie, France, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, this area was a busy center for agriculture and trade, which likely shaped the daily lives of those bearing the name. The name itself may have originated as a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific local landmark, as was common practice for families living in rural French provinces during that era. Over time, families in this region often moved between neighboring villages to find work or better farmland, helping to spread the name across the local landscape. By studying the parish records from this period, historians can trace the steady growth of the family as they integrated into the social and economic fabric of Picardie.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gros
A French adjective meaning large, thick, or big.
This name
GrooA descriptive nickname for a person of large physical stature or heavy build.
also spelled
Groux
Groue
Grouh
Groo
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Somme, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales de l'Aisne, Collection de l'état civil
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.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
