A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alard family of France.
Reg. 5358 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 bandes de gu., ch. chacune d'une fleur-de-lis d'or.”
ProvenceProvence, c. 1663
Where the Alard Arms Were Recorded
Provence
Map of France showing where the Alard arms are recorded
The Alard arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement is what fills a register.
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 Alard 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 Provence.
Origin & History of the Alard Family in France
The name Alard originates from the ancient Germanic personal name Adalhard, which combines the words for noble and hardy or brave. Over many centuries, this name evolved into a hereditary surname as it passed from fathers to sons across various regions of France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Alard family were firmly established in the Provence region. During this era, families in Provence often lived in rural communities or small towns where they worked as farmers, craftsmen, or local merchants. Life in the seventeenth century was shaped by the agricultural cycles of the Mediterranean climate and the complex social structures of the French provinces. As the family grew, they became part of the local history of southern France, contributing to the cultural and economic life of their communities through their daily work and social connections.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adalhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning noble and hardy or brave.
This name
AlardA French surname originating from a personal name signifying noble strength or courage.
also spelled
Alart
Alarde
Allard
Related arms
Alartvariant spelling
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 des Bouches-du-Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Provence, 1663
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
