A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alain family of France.
Reg. 1178 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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'arg. à trois merlettes de gu.; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles d'or.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Alain Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Alain arms are recorded
The Alain 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 Alain 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 Alain Family in France
The name Alain traces its roots back to the ancient Celtic word for harmony or stone, and it became a popular given name throughout Brittany and Normandy during the Middle Ages. By the time the family was firmly established in the Normandy region in 1663, the name had transitioned from a personal identifier into a stable surname passed down through generations. During this era, families in Normandy were often deeply connected to the local agricultural landscape and the social structures of the French provinces. Those bearing the name Alain lived through a period of significant transition as the French monarchy consolidated power and encouraged the settlement of new territories. The presence of the Alain family in Normandy during the mid-seventeenth century places them at the heart of a region known for its strong maritime traditions and its pivotal role in the expansion of French influence abroad.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Alanus
Derived from the ancient Iranian tribe known as the Alans.
This name
AlainA French name of Celtic origin often interpreted as meaning handsome or cheerful.
also spelled
Alayn
Alein
Alaine
Alan
Allen
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
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, 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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
