A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Auvergne family of France.
Reg. 5615 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Fascé de quatre pièces d'arg. et de sa.; l'arg. ch. de trois merlettes du sec., 2 et 1; le sa. ch. de trois coquilles d'or, 2 et 1.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Auvergne Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Auvergne arms are recorded
The Auvergne arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Auvergne 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 Auvergne Family in France
The family name Auvergne originates from the historical region of the same name in central France, which was once a powerful territory governed by independent counts. During the medieval period, individuals who migrated from this rugged, mountainous area often adopted the name as a way to identify their place of origin to those in new lands. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the family had established themselves in the province of Bretagne. Records confirm their presence in this coastal region by 1663, suggesting that the family had successfully integrated into the local society of western France. This migration likely followed the movement of laborers, merchants, or soldiers who sought new opportunities far from their ancestral highlands. Over time, the name transitioned from a simple geographic descriptor into a permanent family identity that persisted through generations in their new home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Arverni
A powerful ancient Celtic tribe inhabiting the Massif Central region.
This name
AuvergneRefers to a person originating from the historical Auvergne province in central France.
also spelled
Auverne
Overny
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Rennes)
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
