A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Aurillac family of France.
Reg. 4165 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à la bande d'or, acc. de six coquilles d'arg., rangées en orle.”
AuvergneAuvergne, c. 1663
Where the Aurillac Arms Were Recorded
Auvergne
Map of France showing where the Aurillac arms are recorded
The Aurillac 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 Aurillac 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 Aurillac Family in France
The family name Aurillac originates from the rugged Auvergne region of central France, a landscape defined by its ancient volcanic mountains and deep river valleys. During the mid-seventeenth century, the family established a firm presence in this area, as evidenced by records dating back to 1663. The name itself is a locative surname, meaning it was likely adopted by individuals who migrated from the town of Aurillac to surrounding villages or nearby cities. In the 1600s, life in Auvergne was centered around agriculture and the seasonal movement of livestock, which influenced how families settled and grew within their local parishes. By maintaining their roots in this specific province, the early members of the family became part of the long-standing social fabric of the region, living through a period of significant transition in French rural history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aurelius
A Roman family name derived from the Latin word for golden.
This name
AurillacA locative surname referring to the town of Aurillac in the Auvergne region.
also spelled
Aurillak
Oriyak
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Cantal, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Deroy, Louis and Mulon, Marianne, Dictionnaire des noms de lieux de la France, 1992
Dauzat, Albert, Les noms de famille de France, 1945
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
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
