A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barret family of France.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Burelé d'or et de gu.”
The Barret arms were recorded in Guyenne, c. 1663.
Guyenne was the great wine country of south-western France, shipping claret to England for centuries. The trade made merchant families rich, they bought vineyards and estates with the money, and land of that kind brought arms with it.
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.
Reigning in France when the Barret arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Barret has deep roots in the historical region of Guyenne, located in southwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established members of the local community. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term, possibly derived from the Old French word "barret," which referred to a type of cap or bonnet. In medieval society, such names were often given to individuals based on their trade, their physical appearance, or a specific item of clothing they were known to wear. As these families lived and worked in the fertile lands of Guyenne, they became part of the regional fabric, contributing to the agricultural and social life of the area for generations. Over time, the name spread as family members moved through the provinces, eventually becoming a recognized part of the French cultural landscape.
A Germanic term meaning a free man or warrior.
