Map of France showing where the Arcese arms are recorded
The Arcese arms were recorded in Guyenne, c. 1663.
Guyenne was the great wine country of south-western France, shipping claret to England for centuries. The trade made merchant families rich, they bought vineyards and estates with the money, and land of that kind brought 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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Arcese 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 Guyenne.
Origin & History of the Arcese Family in France
The family name Arcese finds its historical roots in the southwestern region of France known as Guyenne. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established within this area, which was a hub of agricultural and political activity during the seventeenth century. The name likely evolved as a way to identify individuals based on their local geography or their specific connection to the land in the Guyenne province. During this period, families in the region often lived in close-knit communities centered around the local parish, where life revolved around the seasonal rhythms of farming and trade. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the development of their local villages through their work and daily interactions. This early presence in Guyenne suggests that the Arcese family was well-integrated into the provincial life of the era, helping to shape the history of the region long before the name spread to other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Arca
Latin term referring to a chest, box, or secure container.
This name
ArceseDerived from a topographic or occupational name for someone living near or making chests.
also spelled
Arcees
Arcess
Arce
Arses
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales de la Gironde, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil (1600-1700)
Boutruche, Robert, Une société provinciale en lutte contre le régime féodal: L'exemple du Bordelais, 1963
Papy, Michel, Histoire de la Guyenne, 1994
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
