A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Allendorf family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7075 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un brancard de marchand de vin, de gu., posé en bande. C.: un vol à l'antique, aux armes de l'écu.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Allendorf Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Allendorf arms are recorded
The Allendorf 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 Allendorf 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 Allendorf Family in France
The family name Allendorf carries a history that reaches into the coastal regions of western France by the mid-seventeenth century. Records confirm that members of the family were established in the province of Bretagne by 1663, a time when the region was a bustling hub of maritime trade and agricultural development. While the name itself has roots that suggest origins in Germanic territories, its presence in France indicates that the family likely migrated during a period of significant social and economic movement across European borders. Settling in Bretagne allowed these early family members to integrate into a distinct cultural landscape defined by its unique language, strong local traditions, and deep connection to the Atlantic Ocean. By embedding themselves in this coastal society, the family became part of the complex demographic shifts that shaped the French provinces during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
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 un écusson de gu. en abîme, acc. au canton dextre du chef d'un annelet d'or. C.: un bonnet d'or, accosté de deux oreilles d'âne de gu. (Arm. v. G.) (3, 3, 3 et 1.”
WestphaliaWestphalia, c. 1765
Where the Allendorf Arms Were Recorded
Westphalia
Map of Germany showing where the Allendorf arms are recorded
The Allendorf arms were recorded in Westphalia, c. 1765.
Westphalia was a land of small estates and fortified farmhouses in western Germany. Its families were numerous and not especially rich, but each held its own ground, and holding ground was what brought arms.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in France when the Allendorf arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Westphalia.
Origin & History of the Allendorf Family in Germany
The name Allendorf is a classic example of a locational surname, which means it was originally derived from a specific place in Germany. The name is composed of the German words "all" and "dorf," which translates to "old village." Historically, families often adopted these names to identify where they lived or held land. By the mid-18th century, records confirm that members of the Allendorf family were well-established in the Westphalia region. This area was known for its dense forests and complex agricultural history, which likely shaped the daily lives of the family members living there in 1765. Because the name refers to a generic "old village," it is possible that several unrelated families adopted the name independently because they lived in different settlements that were simply referred to as the old village in their local dialect. This practice was very common in rural Germany, where people were often identified by their home village to help distinguish them from neighbors in growing communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Alendorf
A village or settlement belonging to an individual named Alen.
This name
AllendorfRefers to a person originating from a village or farmstead named Allendorf.
also spelled
Allendorff
Allendorfh
Alendorf
Related arms
Hohensteinsimilar arms
Schwandsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Pottier, Jean-Pierre, Histoire de la Bretagne et des Bretons, 2005
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
