Map of France showing where the Barbe arms are recorded
The Barbe 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 Barbe 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 Barbe Family in France
The surname Barbe has deep roots in the French landscape, emerging as a descriptive name that likely identified an ancestor by a prominent beard or a rugged appearance. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was firmly established in the province of Normandie, a region known for its rich agricultural history and coastal influence. In 1663, records confirm that members of the Barbe family were living and working within this northern territory, likely participating in the local traditions of farming or maritime trade that defined the area at the time. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of rural France, navigating the challenges of life under the French monarchy while maintaining their presence in the Norman countryside. Their history reflects the broader movement of families who settled in specific provinces and built lives based on the customs and economic opportunities of their local communities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. three bars gobonated ar. and sa”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Barbe arms are recorded
The Barbe arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Barbe 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 England.
Origin & History of the Barbe Family in England
The surname Barbe carries a rich history that likely stems from the Middle Ages, evolving as a descriptive nickname or a trade-related identifier. In England, the name often appeared in records during the seventeenth century, including documented instances of family members living in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York was a bustling northern hub for commerce and religious life, suggesting that early bearers of the name were integrated into the urban fabric of the region. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Old French word for beard, which was frequently used as a nickname for a man with a prominent or distinct beard. As families moved through the English countryside and settled in growing cities, the name became a permanent fixture in parish registers and local tax rolls. This transition from a simple nickname to a formal family name reflects the broader patterns of how English surnames were established and passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
barba
Latin term meaning beard or whiskers.
This name
BarbeA nickname for a man with a prominent or notable beard.
also spelled
Barbeie
Barbay
Barbe
Barby
Barbie
Related arms
Barbavariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille 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.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
