A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barritt family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4690 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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 au chev. d'herm., acc. de trois têtes de griffon d'or et ch. de deux serpents au nat., noués en saut. C.: une tête de chien coupée d'arg. sur herm., coll. d'or, oreillée de sa.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Barritt arms are recorded
The Barritt arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Barritt 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 France.
Origin & History of the Barritt Family in France
The family name Barritt has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1725. During this period, Brittany was a distinct province with its own unique cultural identity and language. Families in this area often lived in rural parishes where they worked as farmers or skilled tradespeople. The name likely evolved from local dialects spoken in the region, reflecting the way people identified themselves within their small village communities. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the Breton countryside, participating in local traditions and the daily life of their parish. This early history shows that the Barritt family was firmly established in the heart of French coastal life long before many members eventually moved to other parts of the world.
Barritt Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Bara
Old Germanic element meaning bear or a variant of son of Barry.
This name
BarrittA patronymic surname derived from the personal name Barry, signifying son of the spear-thrower.
also spelled
Barrit
Barrett
Barit
Related arms
Barrettvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1993
Le Moyne, Jean, La vie quotidienne en Bretagne au XVIIIe siècle, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
