A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Aubigny family of France.
Reg. 8721 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 la fasce de gu., ch. de trois tours d'or.”
PicardiePicardie, c. 1663
Where the Aubigny Arms Were Recorded
Picardie
Map of France showing where the Aubigny arms are recorded
The Aubigny arms were recorded in Picardie, c. 1663.
Picardie lay on the northern road into France and saw armies pass through it repeatedly. Its landowners were soldiers as often as farmers, and a soldier needed a shield he could be recognised by.
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 Aubigny 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 Picardie.
Origin & History of the Aubigny Family in France
The surname Aubigny originates from the northern regions of France, specifically within the historic province of Picardie. The name itself is locative, meaning it was originally taken from a place name to identify a person’s home or origin. During the seventeenth century, the family was well-established in this area, as evidenced by records confirming their presence in Picardie by 1663. At that time, families in this region were often tied to the land through agriculture or local trade, living in small rural communities that had been shaped by centuries of French history. Because the name is derived from the Latin word *Albiniacum*, it suggests that the family’s roots may trace back to an ancient estate or a Roman-era settlement. Over generations, the name became a permanent marker of the family's identity as they navigated the social and economic changes of early modern France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Albinius
Derived from the Latin word albus meaning white or bright.
This name
AubignyRefers to a person originating from a place characterized by white or light-colored soil.
also spelled
Aubigne
Aubigney
Obinyi
Related arms
Aubignévariant spelling
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 de la Somme, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
