A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Abdi family of France.
Reg. 6781 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“D'or à la croix ancrée de gu., cant. de quatre croisettes d'azur.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Abdi Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Abdi arms are recorded
The Abdi arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 Abdi 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Abdi Family in France
The family name Abdi carries a rich history that traces back to the coastal region of Normandy, France, during the mid-seventeenth century. By 1663, records confirm that members of this family were established within the local communities of this northern province. During this era, Normandy was a hub of agricultural activity and maritime trade, which likely shaped the daily lives and occupations of early family members. The name itself reflects the linguistic traditions of the time, often evolving from regional dialects or specific naming customs prevalent in rural French parishes. As these individuals lived through the reign of King Louis XIV, they were part of a society undergoing significant social and administrative changes. Their presence in the historical record during this period highlights a long-standing connection to the French landscape and the enduring legacy of families who helped build the foundations of their local villages.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Abd
A Semitic root meaning to serve or worship.
This name
AbdiDerived from Arabic, it signifies a servant or worshiper of God.
also spelled
Abdy
Abdi
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Boudet, Jacques, Les noms de famille en France, 1998
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
