A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barrier family of France.
Reg. 6584 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 à la fasce d'or, ch. d'un lion iss. de gu., surm. de trois croisettes d'arg.; en p. une croix pareille, surm. d'une tour d'arg., ces deux pieces accostées de deux trèfles d'or.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Barrier Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Barrier arms are recorded
The Barrier arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 Barrier 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Barrier Family in France
The family name Barrier has deep roots in the historical province of Normandie, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1663. The name itself is classified as a topographic surname, which means it was likely given to people based on where they lived or worked. In Old French, the term referred to a gate, a defensive obstacle, or a boundary marker. It is probable that the earliest ancestors bearing this name lived near a fortified gate or a significant barrier that separated two parcels of land or two villages. Over time, this descriptive label became a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations as families moved from rural areas into growing towns. By the mid-seventeenth century, the name was well-integrated into the social fabric of the region, reflecting the long-standing connection between the family and the landscape of northern France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
barre
A gate, barrier, or wooden beam used for defense or closure.
This name
BarrierAn occupational name for someone who lived near a gate or toll barrier.
also spelled
Barriere
Barriar
Baryer
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 de la Seine-Maritime. 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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
