A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Guye family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6519 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'or à la fasce d'azur, acc. de trois roses de gu.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Guye Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Guye arms are recorded
The Guye arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 Guye 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 Guye Family in France
The surname Guye finds its roots in the medieval French linguistic tradition, where it likely originated as a diminutive or a variation of the name Guy. This name was popularized across France during the Middle Ages, often serving as a shortened form of names derived from the Germanic word for wood or guide. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family established a clear presence in the region of Bretagne. Records from 1663 confirm that members of the Guye family were active participants in the local social and economic life of this coastal province. During this period, families in Bretagne were often deeply connected to the land and the specific administrative parishes where they lived. As the family grew, they integrated into the unique cultural landscape of the region, which was known for its distinct traditions and strong maritime ties. This early documentation in Bretagne serves as a vital anchor point for understanding how the family name transitioned from its linguistic origins into a settled lineage within the French countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à trois pics de rocher abaissés d'or, mouv. de la p., sommés chacun d'une petite bannière d'arg., flottante à sen., les trabes avec leurs fers aussi d'arg.”
SwitzerlandNeufchâtel, c. 1745
Where the Guye Arms Were Recorded
Neufchâtel
Map of Switzerland showing where the Guye arms are recorded
The Guye arms were recorded in Neufchâtel, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Guye Family in Switzerland
The family name Guye has deep roots in the Neuchâtel region of Switzerland, where members of the family were firmly established by the middle of the eighteenth century. The name is believed to have evolved from the old French given name Guy, which was a common personal name in the Middle Ages. Families in this mountainous area often lived in small, tight-knit communities where they worked as farmers, craftsmen, or local officials. By 1745, records show that the Guye family was active in the social and economic life of Neuchâtel, contributing to the development of the local region. Over time, the family name became a permanent fixture in the area, reflecting the long history of families who settled in the Swiss Jura mountains and built their lives within the unique political landscape of the Principality of Neuchâtel.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wido
A Germanic root meaning wood or wide.
This name
GuyeA French surname derived from the Germanic name Guy, signifying a guide or leader.
also spelled
Guyee
Guy
Gee
Related arms
Matilesimilar arms
Guyvariant 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
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
