Map of France showing where the Banzon arms are recorded
The Banzon 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 Banzon 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 Banzon Family in France
The history of the Banzon family is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of the Auvergne region in central France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this mountainous area. During the seventeenth century, the Auvergne was a place defined by its volcanic terrain and isolated rural communities. Families in this region often lived in small, tight-knit agricultural villages where they relied on the land and local trade to survive. The name Banzon likely evolved from the local dialects spoken in these highlands, reflecting the unique linguistic traditions of the French interior. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the province, contributing to the local economy and the development of their community over several generations. This early presence in the heart of France suggests that the Banzon lineage was well-integrated into the traditional life of the Auvergne long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Banc
A bench or a raised seat used for administrative or judicial purposes.
This name
BanzonRefers to a person who lived near a bench or held a position of authority.
also spelled
Banzon
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Puy-de-Dôme, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Fournier, Gabriel, Le peuplement rural en Basse-Auvergne durant le haut Moyen Âge, 1962
Piboule, André, Dictionnaire historique et généalogique des familles d'Auvergne, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
