A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Band family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1695 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'or à la fasce de gu., ch. de trois molettes d'arg.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Band Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Band arms are recorded
The Band arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 Band 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Band Family in France
The family name Band has roots that trace back to the coastal region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this area. During the seventeenth century, Bretagne was a distinct province with its own unique customs and strong maritime connections. Families living in this region often worked in trades related to the sea or local agriculture, which allowed them to build stable lives in small rural parishes. Because the name is short and distinct, it likely served as a way to identify individuals based on their specific location or a notable physical trait. Over time, these early ancestors helped shape the local community by participating in parish life and contributing to the regional economy. Their presence in the historical records of Bretagne provides a clear window into the lives of families who lived in France during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Chequy ar. and sa. on a fesse gu. three trefoils slipped of the first”
EssexEssex, c. 1620
Where the Band Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Band arms are recorded
The Band arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Band arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Essex.
Origin & History of the Band Family in England
The surname Band has deep roots in the English county of Essex, where records confirm the family was well-established by the early seventeenth century. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific occupation, possibly denoting someone who made ribbons or bindings. During the 1600s, families in Essex often lived in small agricultural communities where they were closely tied to the land and local parish life. As the name appears in historical documents from this period, it suggests that the Band family were part of the steady population of English yeoman farmers or tradespeople who helped shape the local economy. By 1620, the family had already become a recognized part of the regional landscape, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the quiet persistence of everyday life in early modern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bande
Old French term for a strip, ribbon, or a military company.
This name
BandOriginally a topographic name for someone living near a strip of land or a member of a troop.
also spelled
Bande
Bandt
Baund
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Collection de la série B, Juridictions seigneuriales
Jones, Michael, The Creation of Brittany: A Late Medieval State, 1988
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
