A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Baume family of France.
Reg. 6515 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la bande vivrée d'azur. C.: un cygne iss. d'arg. S.: deux griffons d'or. Cri: LA BAUME!”
Francec. 1427
Where the Baume Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Baume arms are recorded
The Baume 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 Baume 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 Baume Family in France
The family name Baume finds its roots in the French language, where the word refers to a cave or a grotto. In the early fifteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the region of Bretagne. Historical records from 1427 confirm that members of the Baume family were living in this area during the late Middle Ages. Because the name is tied to a natural feature, it likely began as a way to identify people who lived near a specific landmark or a rocky shelter. Over time, the family name became a permanent way to track their lineage as they moved through different parts of France. This transition from a descriptive nickname to a formal surname reflects the way many families settled into their communities during the medieval period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
balma
A Gaulish term referring to a cave or a rocky shelter.
This name
BaumeA topographic name for someone who lived near a cave or cliffside.
also spelled
Baumee
Baum
Bom
Related arms
Apssimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Potier de Courcy, Pol, Nobiliaire et armorial de Bretagne, 1890
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Réformation de la noblesse 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
