A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bartow family of France.
Reg. 2091 · 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
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Map of France showing where the Bartow arms are recorded
The Bartow 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 Bartow 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 Bartow Family in France
The family name Bartow is deeply rooted in the history of the Brittany region of France. By the year 1691, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this coastal area. The name likely evolved from local linguistic traditions, reflecting the unique cultural blend of the Breton people. During this period, families in Brittany often lived in tight-knit communities centered around agriculture or maritime trade. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, navigating the political and religious changes that defined late seventeenth-century France. This early presence in Brittany serves as the foundational chapter for the family line, marking the start of a journey that would eventually see members move across borders and oceans.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bartholomaeus
Aramaic for son of Talmai meaning abounding in furrows
This name
BartowA locational surname derived from the French town of Barteaux or a patronymic form of Bartholomew
also spelled
Barte
Bartt
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Poter, Jean-Loup, Histoire de la Bretagne, 2014
Le Goff, Hervé, La Bretagne au XVIIe siècle, 2008
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
