A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Guirand family of France.
Reg. 7697 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'azur à la bande d'or, acc. de deux colombes d'arg., bq. et m. de gu.; à la bord. engr. du même.”
ProvenceProvence, c. 1663
Where the Guirand Arms Were Recorded
Provence
Map of France showing where the Guirand arms are recorded
The Guirand arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement is what fills a register.
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 Guirand 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 Provence.
Origin & History of the Guirand Family in France
The surname Guirand has deep roots in the sun-drenched region of Provence, France, where the family established a documented presence by the year 1663. The name itself is a variation of the ancient Germanic name Girard, which combines the elements for spear and brave or strong. During the seventeenth century, families in Provence often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities centered around agriculture and local trade. As the Guirand family settled into this landscape, they became part of the social fabric of southern France, likely working as skilled craftsmen or landholders. Over time, the name evolved through regional dialects, eventually stabilizing into the form recognized today. By maintaining their presence in the Provence region for centuries, the early members of the Guirand family helped shape the local history and cultural identity of their home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and hardy or brave.
This name
GuirandA French patronymic surname originating from the Germanic personal name meaning brave with a spear.
also spelled
Guirand
Guirran
Guirrand
Geeran
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Boyer, Michel, Dictionnaire des noms de famille en Provence, 1992
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Archives Départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, Series E
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
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
