A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Arthaud family of France.
Reg. 7447 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'arg. à trois bandes de gu.; au chef d'azur, ch. d'un soleil d'or.”
LyonnaisRoannais · Lyonnais, c. 1663
Where the Arthaud Arms Were Recorded
Lyonnais
Map of France showing where the Arthaud arms are recorded
The Arthaud arms were recorded in Lyonnais, c. 1663.
Lyonnais centred on Lyon, one of the great banking and silk towns of France. Money made in the city bought estates in the countryside around it, and those estates brought arms with them.
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 Arthaud 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 Lyonnais.
Origin & History of the Arthaud Family in France
The Arthaud family name finds its historical roots in the rugged and culturally rich region of Lyonnais, France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established within this area, which served as a major crossroads for trade and agriculture near the city of Lyon. The name itself is derived from the ancient Germanic personal name Hardwald, which combines elements meaning hardy or brave and ruler. Over many centuries, this name evolved through local dialects and regional pronunciation shifts to become the Arthaud surname recognized today. Families bearing this name during the seventeenth century were typically integrated into the local social fabric as skilled tradespeople or landholders who contributed to the stability of their rural communities. Through their presence in parish registers and legal documents of the era, the Arthaud family reflects the broader history of families who helped shape the identity of the French countryside during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hard
Germanic element meaning brave, hardy, or strong.
This name
ArthaudDerived from a Germanic personal name meaning brave or strong ruler.
also spelled
Arthault
Arto
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Archives départementales du Rhône. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil du Lyonnais. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
