A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barbosa family of France.
Reg. 0303 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fireZeal and purification
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur aux flammes d'arg. et de gu., mouv. de la p. de l'écu; et un oiseau d'arg., barbé de gu., ess. des flammes; le tout acc. d'un lambel d'or en chef.”
FranceToulouse, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Barbosa arms are recorded
The Barbosa arms were recorded in Toulouse, c. 1663.
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 Barbosa 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 France.
Origin & History of the Barbosa Family in France
The surname Barbosa is deeply rooted in the Iberian Peninsula, where it evolved from the Portuguese and Spanish word for "bearded." Historically, the name was often used as a descriptive nickname for a man with a prominent beard before it became a formal family identifier passed down through generations. By the mid-17th century, members of the Barbosa family had expanded their reach beyond the borders of the peninsula, establishing a presence in Toulouse by 1663. This migration was likely driven by the complex religious and political shifts occurring in Europe at the time, which prompted many families to seek new opportunities in French commercial centers. As these individuals settled in Toulouse, they integrated into the local society while maintaining the distinct identity associated with their ancestral name.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
barba
Latin term meaning beard or whiskers.
This name
BarbosaA topographic name for someone living near a place with thick vegetation or brush.
also spelled
Barbassant
Barbasann
Barbasane
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Antenor Nascentes, Dicionário Etimológico da Língua Portuguesa, 1932
Joseph Piel, Os Nomes de Família em Portugal, 1964
Archives départementales de la Haute-Garonne, Registres paroissiaux et état civil de Toulouse, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fireZeal and purification
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fireZeal and purification
