A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Guy family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6697 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“D'arg. à un arbre terrassé de sin., sommé d'un oiseau d'or; à un lévrier de gu., coll. et bouclé d'or, pass. au pied de l'arbre.”
FranceParis, c. 1663
Where the Guy Arms Were Recorded
Paris
Map of France showing where the Guy arms are recorded
The Guy arms were recorded in Paris, 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 Guy 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 Guy Family in France
The surname Guy finds its roots in the ancient Germanic name Wido, which eventually evolved into the French name Guy. This name became popular across France during the Middle Ages because it was associated with strength and leadership. By the time members of the family were documented in Paris in 1663, the name had been established for centuries as a common identifier for individuals living in urban centers. During this period, families in Paris often lived in tight-knit neighborhoods where their names were recorded in parish registers for baptisms, marriages, and burials. These early records show that the Guy family was part of the growing population of a city undergoing significant social and architectural changes under the reign of King Louis XIV. As the family navigated life in the capital, they contributed to the vibrant culture of seventeenth-century France, leaving behind a legacy that is preserved in the administrative documents of the time.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. on a chev. ar. betw. three leopards' faces or, as many fleurs-de-lis gu”
NorthamptonOundle · Northampton, c. 1620
Where the Guy Arms Were Recorded
Northampton
Map of England showing where the Guy arms are recorded
The Guy arms were recorded in Northampton, c. 1620.
Northamptonshire was grazing and hunting country in the middle of England, thick with manor houses. Its families were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Guy arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Northampton.
Origin & History of the Guy Family in England
The surname Guy has deep roots in medieval England, originating as a nickname derived from the Old French word "gui," which translates to "guide" or "leader." During the Middle Ages, names often described a person’s occupation or a notable personality trait, and this name likely identified someone who acted as a reliable navigator or a local mentor. By the time the family established a documented presence in Northampton in 1620, the name had already been in use for several centuries across various English counties. Families bearing this name were typically part of the emerging middle class, often working as tradespeople or landowners who helped shape the local economy of their respective towns. The migration of the Guy family to Northampton reflects the broader movement of English citizens during the seventeenth century as they sought stability and new opportunities in growing regional centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wido
A Germanic root word meaning wood or wide.
This name
GuyDerived from the Old French form of a Germanic name signifying a guide or leader.
also spelled
Guie
Guye
Gee
Guay
Guise
Related arms
Gaysame arms
Gyesame arms
Guayvariant spelling
Guisevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives Nationales, Minutier central des notaires de Paris, Series Y
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mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
