Map of France showing where the Baum arms are recorded
The Baum arms were recorded in France, c. 1427.
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.
Charles VII of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles VII of France
1422–1461
Reigning in France when the Baum 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 Baum Family in France
The surname Baum originates from the Germanic word for tree, often serving as a descriptive name for someone who lived near a prominent tree or worked as a woodcutter. While the name is most commonly associated with German-speaking regions, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne, France, as early as 1427. During this period, the family likely integrated into the local social structure of the duchy, adapting to the linguistic and cultural landscape of western France. Their presence in Bretagne suggests a history of migration or service that placed them within the administrative records of the time. Over the centuries, the name evolved alongside the family, reflecting their movement through different European territories while maintaining its original connection to the natural world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
boum
Old French term for a tree or a wooded area.
This name
BaumA topographic surname for someone who lived near a prominent tree or forest.
also spelled
Baumee
Baum
Bom
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Poter, Arthur de la, Réformation des fouages de 1427: Diocèse de Rennes, 1865
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série G: Fonds ecclésiastiques et documents administratifs de Bretagne, 1427
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
