A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Abbo family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7072 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à chev. d'or, ch. de trois croisettes écotées d'azur et acc. de trois poires du sec., les queues en haut; le tout enclos dans un trêcheur fleur. d'or. Cq. cour. C.: une tête de licorne d'herm., crinée d'or, accostée de six pl. d'aut. d'arg. aux tuyaux d'or; le tout surm. du Cri: PERSEVERANDO. S.: deux licornes d'herm., crinées, accornées et onglées d'or, chacune ch. sur l'épaule d'une croix écotée d'azur; le col passé dans un collier du dernier émail bordé de gu., duquel descend une chaîne d'or. D.: DEO, PATRIAE, AMICIS; ou PERSEVERANDO.”
Francec. 1817
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Map of France showing where the Abbo arms are recorded
The Abbo arms were recorded in France, c. 1817.
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.
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 Abbo Family in France
The family name Abbo has deep roots in the historical landscape of France, particularly within the rugged and culturally distinct region of Brittany. While the name appears in official records as early as 1817 in this area, its origins likely stem from ancient naming traditions that favored short, rhythmic sounds. In the context of nineteenth-century Brittany, families with this name were often integrated into the local agricultural or maritime communities that defined the coastal life of the province. Because Brittany maintained a unique social structure and language separate from the rest of France for centuries, the Abbo family name survived through generations of local record-keeping in parish registers and municipal archives. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant transition in France, moving from the post-revolutionary era into a period of modernization that reshaped how families were documented and tracked by the state. By studying these early records, we see a family that was firmly established in the local fabric of Breton society long before the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa. a cross voided betw. four eagles displ. or”
DevonHartland · Devon, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Abbo arms are recorded
The Abbo arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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 Abbo 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Abbo Family in England
The surname Abbo is a rare and ancient name that likely traces its roots to Germanic or Old English origins, often serving as a short form for longer names starting with the prefix "Ab-." By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Devon, a region in Southwest England known for its rugged coastline and strong maritime traditions. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Abbo family were living in this area during a time of significant social change and overseas exploration. Life in Devon during this period was defined by agriculture, fishing, and the wool trade, which provided a stable foundation for families to put down deep roots. While the name remained relatively uncommon across the country, those who carried it in Devon were part of the local fabric of rural English life, contributing to the community through their trades and daily interactions in their parishes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Abbo
Derived from the Germanic element aba meaning father.
This name
AbboA medieval personal name of Germanic origin signifying a father or patriarch.
also spelled
Abot
Abbott
Abbat
Abbet
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, État civil, Naissances, mariages, décès (1817)
Morvan, Françoise, Le monde comme si: Nationalisme et dérive identitaire en Bretagne, 2002
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de personnes bretons, 1980
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
