A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Altier family of France.
Reg. 3958 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'arg. à la bord. de gu.; au chef d'azur, br. sur le tout.”
ProvenceProvence, c. 1663
Where the Altier Arms Were Recorded
Provence
Map of France showing where the Altier arms are recorded
The Altier 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 Altier 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 Altier Family in France
The family name Altier finds its deep historical roots in the sun-drenched region of Provence, France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents in this area. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Old Occitan word "altier," which describes someone who is proud, high-minded, or stands tall. During the seventeenth century, families in Provence were often deeply connected to the local land and the agricultural traditions of the Mediterranean landscape. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of southern French towns, living through a period of significant cultural development and regional change. Their presence in the historical records of the time suggests they were active participants in the local community life that defined the Provence region during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
altus
Latin term meaning high, deep, or noble.
This name
AltierDerived from a topographic descriptor for someone living on high ground or a hill.
also spelled
Altiere
Altyer
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Mistral, Frédéric, Lou Tresor dóu Felibrige ou Dictionnaire provençal-français, 1878
Moreri, Louis, Le Grand Dictionnaire Historique, 1759
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
