Map of France showing where the Bankier arms are recorded
The Bankier 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 Bankier 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 Bankier Family in France
The family name Bankier carries a history deeply rooted in the movement of people across Europe during the seventeenth century. While the name is often associated with Scottish origins, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the Normandy region of France by 1663. During this era, families frequently migrated due to shifting political landscapes and the search for new economic opportunities. The presence of the Bankier name in Normandy suggests that these early ancestors were likely part of a mobile population that maintained connections across the English Channel. By settling in this coastal province, the family became part of the local social fabric during a time of significant transition in French history. Their transition from one region to another highlights the way surnames traveled alongside individuals as they sought to build lives in new territories.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
banc
A bench, table, or counter used for commercial transactions.
This name
BankierAn occupational surname for a money changer or banker who worked at a bench.
also spelled
Bansier
Bansierre
Bansyer
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Série B, Fonds de la juridiction de Rouen
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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cometA great event foretold, and swift renown
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cometA great event foretold, and swift renown
