A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Allègre family of France.
Reg. 6247 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
foxWit and wisdom in defence
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 la bande de gu., ch. d'un renard pass. d'or.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Allègre Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Allègre arms are recorded
The Allègre arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Allègre 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 France.
Origin & History of the Allègre Family in France
The family name Allègre originates from the Old Occitan word "alegre," which translates to cheerful or lively. During the Middle Ages, this term was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person with a bright or optimistic personality. By the time the family was firmly established in the region of Bretagne in 1663, the name had transitioned from a simple nickname into a formal hereditary surname. Members of the family living in Bretagne during the seventeenth century were likely part of a period of significant social transition, as surnames became increasingly important for legal identification and tax records. While the name began in the southern regions of France, its presence in the northern province of Bretagne suggests that the family migrated or expanded their influence across the country over several generations. This movement was common for families seeking new opportunities in trade or agriculture during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
alacer
Latin term meaning brisk, lively, or eager.
This name
AllègreRefers to a person with a cheerful, joyful, or vivacious disposition.
also spelled
Aleger
Allegree
Alegr
Related arms
Allegrivariant 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 d'Ille-et-Vilaine, 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
foxWit and wisdom in defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
foxWit and wisdom in defence
