Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur au lion d'or, acc. de dix bes. du même, rangés en orle.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Araque family of France.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur au lion d'or, acc. de dix bes. du même, rangés en orle.”

The Araque arms were recorded in Auvergne, c. 1663.
Auvergne was mountain country in the middle of France, poor in money but thick with old families. Estates were small and held for a very long time, and long tenure counted for more than wealth when it came to 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.
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.
The family name Araque has deep roots that connect to the rugged landscapes of the Auvergne region in central France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well established within this mountainous area. During this period, families in Auvergne often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where they focused on agriculture and local trade. The name itself is thought to have evolved from regional dialects, reflecting the unique linguistic history of the French highlands. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of their villages through their work and community involvement. Over time, the name persisted as a marker of their ancestral home, serving as a link between the early generations of the seventeenth century and their descendants today.
A Basque term referring to a mountain pass or high plateau.
