Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à une masse d'armes de sa.; au chef d'azur, ch. d'une étoile du champ.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Akard family of France.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à une masse d'armes de sa.; au chef d'azur, ch. d'une étoile du champ.”

The Akard 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.
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.
The Akard family name carries a history that traces back to the vibrant streets of seventeenth-century Paris. Records confirm that members of the family were established in the city by 1663, living during a time when Paris was the cultural and political heart of Europe. While the exact origins of the name remain a subject of study, it likely emerged during a period of significant social change in France. Families like the Akards were often part of the growing urban middle class, contributing to the trade and craftsmanship that defined the city. Over time, the family name moved beyond the borders of France, eventually finding its way to new lands as members sought out fresh opportunities. This migration helped the name evolve as it adapted to different languages and cultures across the globe.
Derived from the Germanic elements for brave and hardy.
