A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Guay family of France.
Reg. 4889 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Or, a lion ramp. reguard. sa”
Francec. 1663
Where the Guay Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Guay arms are recorded
The Guay arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Guay 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 Guay Family in France
The surname Guay traces its roots back to the historic region of Brittany in northwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Guay family were well-established within this coastal province. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the Old French word "gai," which often described a person with a cheerful or lively personality. During the seventeenth century, many individuals from Brittany began to leave their ancestral homes to seek new opportunities across the Atlantic. These early settlers brought the name to the French colonies in North America, where it became a prominent part of the local population. Through their work as farmers, craftsmen, and explorers, the early Guay family members helped shape the foundations of the communities they joined.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wad
A Germanic root meaning wood or forest.
This name
GuayA topographic name for someone who lived near a wooded area or forest.
also spelled
Guays
Guaye
Guai
Gay
Gway
Related arms
Guyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Jetté, René, Dictionnaire généalogique des familles du Québec, 1983
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, Fonds du Conseil souverain
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'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.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
