A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Guerre family of France.
Reg. 1193 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à trois fasces d'arg.”
GuyenneGuyenne, c. 1663
Where the Guerre Arms Were Recorded
Guyenne
Map of France showing where the Guerre arms are recorded
The Guerre 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 Guerre 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 Guerre Family in France
The surname Guerre is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of southwestern France, particularly within the region of Guyenne. By the year 1663, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in this area, which was known for its distinct cultural identity and agricultural importance. The name itself is derived from the Old French word for war, suggesting that early ancestors may have been recognized for their roles as soldiers or military leaders during a time when regional conflicts were common. As the family settled into the local communities of Guyenne, they became part of the social fabric of the province, likely working as landowners or tradespeople. Their presence in the seventeenth century reflects the broader movement of families who helped shape the rural life and local governance of the region during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
werra
A Germanic term referring to confusion, discord, or strife.
This name
GuerreA nickname for a soldier, a quarrelsome person, or someone who participated in military conflict.
also spelled
Guerres
Ger
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales de la Gironde, Série E (État civil et registres paroissiaux)
Boutier, Jean, Les noms de famille en France: Histoire et société, 2006
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
