A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Guez family of France.
Reg. 6579 · 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
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 deux fasces d'or.”
FranceAngoulême, c. 1663
Where the Guez Arms Were Recorded
Angoulême
Map of France showing where the Guez arms are recorded
The Guez arms were recorded in Angoulême, c. 1663.
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 Guez 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 Guez Family in France
The Guez family name is deeply rooted in the history of the Charente region of France, with documented evidence placing the family in the city of Angoulême as early as 1663. The name is often associated with the local bourgeoisie and professional classes of the seventeenth century, a period when families in this area were frequently involved in the thriving paper manufacturing and trade industries that defined the region. While the name is relatively rare, it gained significant historical prominence through Jean-Louis Guez de Balzac, a famous writer and essayist born in the nearby town of Angoulême. His literary contributions helped standardize the French language and brought regional recognition to the family name during the reign of Louis XIII. Over the following centuries, the family remained connected to the social and administrative fabric of the Angoumois province, maintaining a presence in the local records that reflects the steady development of middle-class life in provincial France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ghazal
Arabic word meaning gazelle or a form of lyrical poetry.
This name
GuezA Sephardic Jewish surname derived from the Arabic term for a gazelle, often symbolizing grace or beauty.
also spelled
Gez de Balzac
Guez
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Baudry, Jean. Jean-Louis Guez de Balzac: sa vie et ses œuvres. 1928
Favreau, Robert. Histoire d'Angoulême et de ses alentours. 1989
Archives départementales de la Charente, Série E: État civil et registres paroissiaux de la ville d'Angoulême
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
