A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barrère family of France.
Reg. 9097 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au lévrier d'arg., coll. et bouclé d'or, assis sur une terrasse de sin., la patte dextre levée, fixant une étoile d'arg. posée au premier canton; au chef échiq. d'or et de gu. de trois tires.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Barrère Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Barrère arms are recorded
The Barrère arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 Barrère 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Barrère Family in France
The family name Barrère originates from the Gascon and Occitan regions of southern France, where it functioned as a topographical surname. It is derived from the word "barra," which refers to a barrier, a gate, or a boundary marker. People who lived near a prominent fence, a toll gate, or the edge of a village often adopted this name to identify their place of residence. By the mid-17th century, the family had expanded its reach significantly, with documented records confirming their presence in the province of Bretagne by 1663. During this period, families frequently migrated across French provinces for work in agriculture or local administration. As they settled into new communities in the north, the name remained a testament to their ancestral connection to the landscape and the physical markers that defined their early homes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Barra
A barrier, gate, or boundary marker.
This name
BarrèreRefers to someone who lived near a gate, barrier, or boundary line.
also spelled
Barere
Barer
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms 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, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
