A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Aurel family of France.
Reg. 4796 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. au croiss. d'or, acc. de trois molettes d'arg.”
AuvergneAuvergne, c. 1663
Where the Aurel Arms Were Recorded
Auvergne
Map of France showing where the Aurel arms are recorded
The Aurel arms were recorded in Auvergne, c. 1663.
Auvergne was mountain country in the middle of France, poor in money but thick with old families. Estates were small and held for a very long time, and long tenure counted for more than wealth when it came to arms.
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 Aurel 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 Auvergne.
Origin & History of the Aurel Family in France
The family name Aurel finds its historical roots in the rugged landscape of the Auvergne region in central France. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of this mountainous area, which was known for its volcanic terrain and isolated rural communities. The name itself is derived from the Latin word aureus, meaning golden or gilded, which suggests that early ancestors may have been associated with skilled craftsmanship or held a respected status within their local parish. During the seventeenth century, families in Auvergne often lived in tight-knit agricultural villages where they relied on the land and local trade to sustain their households. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, participating in the traditional customs and religious life that defined life in the French provinces during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aurelius
Derived from the Latin word for golden or gilded.
This name
AurelA French surname denoting someone with golden hair or a golden complexion.
also spelled
Aurell
Aurele
Orel
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Puy-de-Dôme, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Chassaing, Augustin, Spicilegium Brivatense: recueil de documents historiques relatifs au Brivadois et à l'Auvergne, 1886
Fournier, Gabriel, Le peuplement rural en Basse-Auvergne durant le haut Moyen Âge, 1962
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
