A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barrière family of France.
Reg. 8707 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 deux bâtons noueux d'or, acc. de cinq étoiles du même, 2 en chef, 2 en flancs et 1 en p.”
LanguedocLanguedoc, c. 1663
Where the Barrière Arms Were Recorded
Languedoc
Map of France showing where the Barrière arms are recorded
The Barrière arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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 Barrière 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 Languedoc.
Origin & History of the Barrière Family in France
The surname Barrière is a topographical name that originated in the Occitan-speaking regions of southern France. It was historically used to identify families who lived near a barrier, a gate, or a fortified boundary marker. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Barrière family were firmly established in the Languedoc province. During this period, families in this region were often deeply connected to the local agricultural economy and the complex social structures of the French countryside. As the name spread, it became a way to distinguish individuals based on their proximity to specific landmarks or village entrances. This naming tradition reflects how people in the seventeenth century identified themselves through their immediate environment and their physical place within the community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
barra
a bar, gate, or barrier made of wood
This name
Barrièrea topographic name for someone who lived near a gate or defensive barrier
also spelled
Barrier
Barrierre
Baryer
Related arms
Barriervariant spelling
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 l'Hérault, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la province du Languedoc, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
