Map of France showing where the Arnault arms are recorded
The Arnault arms were recorded in Mayenne, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Arnault 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 Arnault Family in France
The Arnault family name has deep roots in the French region of Mayenne, where records confirm their presence as early as 1725. The name itself is a variation of the Germanic name Arnwald, which combines the words for eagle and power or ruler. During the Middle Ages, names like this were common across Europe as they reflected the values of strength and leadership. By the time the family was documented in Mayenne in the eighteenth century, they were likely part of the local rural or artisan population that formed the backbone of the region. Life in Mayenne during this period was defined by agriculture and the textile trade, and families often stayed in the same villages for generations. This stability allowed the Arnault name to become firmly established in the local community long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Arnwald
A Germanic compound meaning eagle and power or ruler.
This name
ArnaultDerived from the Old French form of a name signifying power of the eagle.
also spelled
Arnaul
Arno
Related arms
Arnauvariant spelling
Arnaudvariant spelling
Arnaud d'Andillyvariant spelling
Arnaud de Bouexvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Mayenne, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
