Map of France showing where the Barnt arms are recorded
The Barnt arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1567.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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.
Charles IX of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles IX of France
1560–1574
Reigning in France when the Barnt 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Barnt Family in France
The family name Barnt traces its historical roots to the Lorraine region of Europe, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1567. During this period, Lorraine was a complex territory caught between the cultural influences of France and the Holy Roman Empire. Families living in this area often worked in agriculture or skilled trades, as the landscape was defined by fertile river valleys and dense forests. The name likely developed as a descriptive identifier or a locational reference, reflecting the specific customs of the Germanic and French-speaking populations living side by side in the region. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of early modern village life through their work and community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Barnabé
Derived from the Aramaic name meaning son of consolation or encouragement.
This name
BarntA locative or occupational surname likely referring to a dweller near a barn or granary.
also spelled
Barnett
Barnete
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Cabourdin, Guy, Histoire de la Lorraine, 1991
Lepage, Henri, Les communes de la Meurthe: journal historique des villes, bourgs, villages, hameaux et censes de ce département, 1853
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
