A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Arche family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1844 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“De gu. à l'ancre d'arg., acc. en chef de deux étoiles d'or.”
FranceToulouse, c. 1663
Where the Arche Arms Were Recorded
Toulouse
Map of France showing where the Arche arms are recorded
The Arche arms were recorded in Toulouse, c. 1663.
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 Arche 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 Arche Family in France
The surname Arche finds its historical roots in the Occitanie region of southern France, with documented evidence placing the family in the city of Toulouse by 1663. During this period, Toulouse was a bustling center of trade and intellectual life, and families bearing this name were often integrated into the local urban fabric as skilled artisans or merchants. The name itself likely evolved from Old French or Occitan terms related to architecture or structural arches, suggesting that early ancestors may have been involved in the construction trades that shaped the city’s iconic brick buildings. As the family established itself in the region, they became part of the social and economic growth of the Languedoc province. Their presence in the city records during the mid-seventeenth century highlights a period of stability and community participation that defined the lives of many families in the south of France before the major political shifts of the following centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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'azur à l'Arche d'alliance d'or; au chef d'arg., ch. de trois étoiles de gu.”
GenevoisGenevois, c. 1745
Where the Arche Arms Were Recorded
Map of Switzerland showing where the Arche arms are recorded
The Arche arms were recorded in Genevois, c. 1745.
Genevois was Alpine country south of Geneva, held in small estates by families who stayed put. Land there passed down the same line for centuries, and long tenure counted for more than wealth.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Genevois.
Origin & History of the Arche Family in Switzerland
The family name Arche has deep roots in the historical region of Genevois, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1745. During the eighteenth century, this area was a crossroads of cultural and economic activity nestled between the Swiss Confederation and the Duchy of Savoy. Families like the Arches often lived as rural landowners or skilled tradespeople who contributed to the local village life near the shores of Lake Geneva. Because the region experienced shifting political borders and frequent movement between towns, the family likely maintained strong ties to both the local parish communities and the growing urban centers. These early generations were part of a resilient population that navigated the complex social structures of the time, leaving behind a legacy tied to the specific geography and traditions of the Genevois landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Arcus
Latin term referring to a bow, arch, or curved structure.
This name
ArcheA topographic name for someone living near a prominent arch or gateway.
also spelled
Archee
Arches
Arch
Arsh
Related arms
Archvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Haute-Garonne, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Toulouse, 1663
Wolff, Philippe, Histoire de Toulouse, 1974
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
