A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Argote family of France.
Reg. 3885 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
vairProtection, and the winter fur
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
VairMeans: Protection
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 de gu. à la croix de vair; à la bord. de sin., ch. de huit flanchis d'or, 1 en chef, 3 à chaque flanc, l'un sur l'autre, et 1 en p. (Argote); au 2 d'azur à deux chaudières échiquetées d'or et de gu., l'une sur l'autre; à la bord. comp. de gu. et d'arg. de quatorze pièces, chaque compon de gu. ch. d'une tour d'or sommée de trois tourelles du même, ouv. et aj. d'azur, et chaque compon d'arg. ch. d'un lion de gu. (Guzman).”
Francec. 1706
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of France showing where the Argote arms are recorded
The Argote arms were recorded in France, c. 1706.
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 Argote 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 Argote Family in France
The name Argote has deep historical roots that trace back to the rugged landscapes of northern Spain and the coastal regions of France. While the surname is often associated with the Basque country, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the Bretagne region of France by 1706. During this era, families with this name were often involved in local administration, trade, and the management of rural estates. The movement of the family into Bretagne suggests they were part of a broader pattern of migration where individuals sought new opportunities in maritime provinces. As they settled into these communities, they integrated into the local social fabric, leaving behind traces in parish registers and legal documents that highlight their presence as landholders and active members of their parishes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Argot
A term referring to a specialized jargon or secret language.
This name
ArgoteA topographic or occupational name likely denoting someone who spoke a specific dialect or slang.
also spelled
Argott
Argota
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série B (Archives de la justice seigneuriale)
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E (Documents notariés et état civil)
Pellegrin, Denis, Dictionnaire des noms de famille de Bretagne, 1996
Mollat du Jourdin, Michel, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1993
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
