A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Guidone family of France.
Reg. 5554 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à la bande d'arg., ch. d'un lévrier de gu.”
SaintongeSaintonge, c. 1663
Where the Guidone Arms Were Recorded
Saintonge
Map of France showing where the Guidone arms are recorded
The Guidone arms were recorded in Saintonge, c. 1663.
Saintonge was western coastal country in France, living on salt, wine and the sea. Merchant families bought estates with their profits, and an estate 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 Guidone 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 Saintonge.
Origin & History of the Guidone Family in France
The Guidone family name finds its historical roots in the western regions of France, specifically within the province of Saintonge. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of this family were well-established residents of this coastal area. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the ancient Germanic name Wido, which evolved through regional dialects into the form used today. Families in Saintonge during the seventeenth century often lived in small agricultural communities, where they contributed to the local economy through farming and trade. Because Saintonge was a major hub for maritime activity and colonial expansion, individuals from this region frequently traveled to other parts of the world, helping to spread the name beyond its original borders. The presence of the Guidone name in these early parish and civil records highlights a long-standing history of settlement and community involvement in rural France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wido
A Germanic root meaning wood or wide.
This name
GuidoneDerived from the Germanic name Wido, signifying a guide or leader.
also spelled
Guidone
Guidot
Guidonn
Geedon
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Charente-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la Saintonge
Péan, Pierre, La Saintonge au XVIIe siècle, 1982
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
