A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bardot family of France.
Reg. 2298 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 à trois têtes de léopard d'or; au chef d'arg., ch. d'une croix pattée au pied fiché de sa.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Bardot Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bardot arms are recorded
The Bardot arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
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 Bardot 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 Bardot Family in France
The family name Bardot has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1663. The name is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Old French word "bard," which referred to a type of horse armor or a protective covering. Over time, this term evolved to describe someone who worked with horses or perhaps a person who possessed a sturdy or resilient nature. As families in this era moved from small rural villages to larger towns, these occupational or personal nicknames became permanent surnames passed down through generations. By the mid-17th century, the Bardot family had established a presence in the local social fabric of Brittany, contributing to the agricultural and trade life of the province during a period of significant regional development.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bard
A Celtic term referring to a poet or a minstrel.
This name
BardotA diminutive form indicating a small or young poet or singer.
also spelled
Bardott
Bardote
Bardoh
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, Series 1 E
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
