A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Anselme family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7884 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 d'azur au drapeau d'or, ch. d'un N de sa. et accosté de deux étoiles du sec.; au 2 d'or au griffon de sa., arm., lamp. et allumé de gu.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Anselme Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Anselme arms are recorded
The Anselme 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 Anselme 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 Anselme Family in France
The name Anselme finds its roots in the ancient Germanic language, combining the words for "divine" and "helmet" to signify a protector under godly influence. By the time the name became established in France, it carried a sense of strength and spiritual dedication. Records confirm that members of the Anselme family were living in the region of Bretagne by 1663, where they were likely integrated into the local social and agricultural life of the province. During this era, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit rural communities, and the name Anselme would have been passed down through generations as the family navigated the changing political landscape of the French kingdom. Because the name was tied to personal character traits rather than specific locations, it allowed the family to maintain a consistent identity even as they settled into the unique cultural traditions of the Breton people.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Erm. on a canton sa. a fleur-de-lis or”
MiddlesexMiddlesex, c. 1620
Where the Anselme Arms Were Recorded
Middlesex
Map of England showing where the Anselme arms are recorded
The Anselme arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1620.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Anselme arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Anselme Family in England
The name Anselme originates from the Germanic personal name Anselm, which combines elements meaning "divine" and "helmet." While the name has deep roots in continental Europe, its presence in England became more established as families migrated across the channel. By 1620, records confirm that members of the Anselme family were living in the county of Middlesex. During this period, Middlesex was a bustling area surrounding London, making it a common destination for families seeking new opportunities in trade or administration. These early settlers were part of a growing movement of people who helped shape the social landscape of the region. Their presence in the historical record during the early seventeenth century suggests that they were integrated into the local community as the English population began to expand and modernize.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Anselm
Derived from the Germanic elements ans meaning god and helm meaning helmet.
This name
AnselmeA French surname signifying divine protection or a helmet of the gods.
also spelled
Anselm
Anselmi
Anselmo
Ansel
Related arms
Anselmvariant spelling
Anselmivariant spelling
Anselmovariant 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 (Collection communale)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
