A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Banastre family of France.
Reg. 1247 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. à la bande d'arg., acc. de deux molettes du même.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Banastre Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Banastre arms are recorded
The Banastre arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they 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 Banastre 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Banastre Family in France
The surname Banastre has deep roots that trace back to the region of Normandy in northern France. Historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area by the year 1663. The name itself is thought to be a topographic or occupational descriptor, likely derived from the Old French word *banastre*, which referred to a type of woven basket. This suggests that early ancestors may have been known for their skill in basketry or lived in a location associated with the trade. As the family grew, they expanded their influence across the region, eventually moving across the English Channel to settle in parts of England. Over many generations, the spelling of the name evolved slightly, but it remained a distinct identifier for those who carried the family line from its French origins into its new historical chapters.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
banastre
Old French term for a small wicker basket or hamper.
This name
BanastreAn occupational name for a basket maker or a merchant who sold baskets.
also spelled
Banaster
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
