A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Adderly family of France.
Reg. 8106 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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'arg. à la bande d'azur, ch. de trois mâcles du champ, posées dans le sens de la bande. C.: une cigogne d'arg., posée sur un chapeau de tournoi d'azur, retr. d'arg. S.: deux cigognes d'arg., coll. d'une chaîne d'or, à laquelle est suspendue un écusson d'azur ch. d'une mâcle d'arg. D.: ADDERE LEGI JUSTITIAM DEUS.”
Francec. 1878
Where the Adderly Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Adderly arms are recorded
The Adderly arms were recorded in France, c. 1878.
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 Adderly Family in France
The name Adderly is rooted in the linguistic traditions of Western Europe, where it evolved as a locational surname derived from old geographic descriptions. By the late nineteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the Brittany region of France. Historical records from 1878 confirm that members of the family were integrated into the local community during this period of rapid social and industrial change. As the family moved through different regions, the spelling of the name often shifted to match local dialects and phonetic habits. This process of adaptation allowed the name to persist across generations while maintaining its distinct identity. Today, the history of the Adderly name serves as a reflection of the migration patterns and cultural shifts that shaped families living in coastal regions during the late nineteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aethelheard
Old English compound meaning noble and brave or hardy.
This name
AdderlyDerived from a place name meaning an enclosure or clearing belonging to a noble person.
also spelled
Adderly
Adderlie
Adderli
Adderleigh
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Recensement de la population
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
