A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bart family of France.
Reg. 9604 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à la fasce d'azur, ch. d'une fleur-de-lis d'or, acc. en chef de deux ancres de sa. passées en saut. et en p. d'un lion léopardé de gu. [Armes du célèbre Jean Bart.]”
Francec. 1691
Where the Bart Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bart arms are recorded
The Bart arms were recorded in France, c. 1691.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Bart 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 Bart Family in France
The family name Bart has deep roots in the coastal regions of France, with documented evidence placing the family in the province of Bretagne by 1691. During this period, the name was often associated with families living near the sea, as the linguistic origins of the name are tied to the Old French and Germanic words for a bearded man or a person of great strength. Because Bretagne was a hub for maritime trade and naval activity, it is likely that early ancestors were involved in seafaring or local commerce. The name evolved through various regional dialects, but it remained a stable identifier for families living in the western territories of the kingdom. By the late 17th century, the Bart family had established a presence in the local social fabric, contributing to the agricultural and maritime life that defined the Breton landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bartholomaeus
Aramaic name meaning son of Talmai or son of the furrows.
This name
BartA French patronymic surname derived from the personal name Bartholomew.
also spelled
Barte
Bartt
Related arms
Baartvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1691
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
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
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
lionCourage, strength and royalty
