Map of France showing where the Groulx arms are recorded
The Groulx arms were recorded in Ponthieu, c. 1663.
Ponthieu was small coastal country in northern France, on the road armies took between the Channel and Paris. Its families held land in return for service, and men who served carried shields.
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 Groulx 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 Ponthieu.
Origin & History of the Groulx Family in France
The family name Groulx traces its roots to the historical region of Ponthieu in northern France. By the mid-17th century, members of the family were well-established in this area, which was known for its fertile landscapes and proximity to the English Channel. In 1663, the name became permanently linked to the history of New France when Jean Groulx, a native of the parish of Saint-Sulpice in Ponthieu, departed his homeland to settle in the colony of Quebec. Upon his arrival, he helped build the foundations of a new life in a challenging wilderness, working as a pioneer and farmer. The name has since remained a prominent part of French-Canadian heritage, representing the transition of families from the rural provinces of France to the developing frontier of North America.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gros
Derived from the Old French word for large or thick.
This name
GroulxA nickname originally used to describe a person of large physical stature or build.
also spelled
Groule
Groull
Groulh
Grool
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Jetté, René. Dictionnaire généalogique des familles du Québec. 1983
Tanguay, Cyprien. Dictionnaire généalogique des familles canadiennes depuis la fondation de la colonie jusqu'à nos jours. 1871
Archives nationales du Québec. Fonds Ministère de la Culture et des Communications, Registres 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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
parrotEloquence, and travel in distant lands
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
parrotEloquence, and travel in distant lands
