A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Guignard family of France.
Reg. 5291 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à trois merlettes de sa. (Guignard); aux 2 et 3 d'azur au chev. d'arg., acc. en chef de deux tours d'or, maçonnées de sa. (St.-Priest). D.: FORT ET FERME.”
Francec. 1647
Where the Guignard Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Guignard arms are recorded
The Guignard arms were recorded in France, c. 1647.
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 Guignard 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 Guignard Family in France
The family name Guignard finds its roots in the historical province of Brittany, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1647. The name itself is derived from the Old French word guigner, which means to glance or to look sideways. In medieval times, this name likely functioned as a descriptive nickname for a person who was known for being observant or perhaps someone who had a distinct way of looking at others. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local society of western France, often working as landowners or skilled tradespeople. By the mid-seventeenth century, the Guignards were part of the fabric of Breton life, contributing to the agricultural and social development of their parishes during a period of significant regional change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Guy
Derived from the Germanic element wido meaning wood or forest.
This name
GuignardA patronymic surname indicating a descendant of someone named Guy, often implying a forest dweller.
also spelled
Guignart
Guignardet
Guignardot
Geenyar
Related arms
Guignartvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morvan, Françoise, La douce Bretagne, 2008
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
