A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gurnee family of France.
Reg. 6410 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé d'or sur azur; à trois pals de l'un en l'autre.”
FranceLimb, c. 1725
Where the Gurnee Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Gurnee arms are recorded
The Gurnee arms were recorded in Limb, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Gurnee 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 Gurnee Family in France
The family name Gurnee traces its roots to the coastal region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this distinct cultural area. The name likely evolved from local linguistic traditions, as families in this region often derived their surnames from specific geographic landmarks or the occupations common to the rugged Breton landscape. During this period, the Gurnee family lived in a society shaped by maritime trade and deep-rooted agricultural customs. As the family grew, their history became intertwined with the social shifts of eighteenth-century France, reflecting the experiences of many families who navigated the transition from rural life to broader regional influence.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gournay
A place name derived from the Gaulish word for a watercourse.
This name
GurneeA habitational surname denoting someone who originated from the town of Gournay-en-Bray in Normandy.
also spelled
Gurnee
Gurnay
Gurney
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Gautier, René, Dictionnaire des noms de famille de Bretagne, 1993
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses des Côtes-d'Armor, 1992
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
