A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bazan family of France.
Reg. 7929 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Echiq. de sa. et d'arg. de quinze pièces; à la bord. de gu., ch. de huit flanchis du sec.”
NavarreNavarre, c. 1663
Where the Bazan Arms Were Recorded
Navarre
Map of France showing where the Bazan arms are recorded
The Bazan arms were recorded in Navarre, c. 1663.
Navarre was mountain country straddling the Pyrenees, with a strong class of small independent landholders. A great many households counted as gentry there, and each needed a shield 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 Bazan 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 Navarre.
Origin & History of the Bazan Family in France
The family name Bazan has deep roots in the northern region of Navarre, Spain, where members of the family were documented as early as 1663. The name is believed to be of Basque origin, likely derived from the word "baztan," which refers to a specific valley or a place characterized by its natural landscape. During the seventeenth century, families in this region were often tied closely to the land and local agricultural life. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and administrative structures of the Kingdom of Navarre. This period was marked by significant shifts in regional governance, and families like the Bazans often held roles that connected them to the local parish records and community leadership. By tracing these early residents, we can see how the name evolved from a geographic descriptor into a lasting family identity that persisted through generations of life in the Pyrenees.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Basus
Latin term meaning low, short, or humble in stature.
This name
BazanA topographic name for someone living near a low-lying area or a valley.
also spelled
Bazann
Bazane
Bazahn
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Caro Baroja, Julio. Los vascos. 1971
Archivo Real y General de Navarra. Sección de Procesos Judiciales. 1663
Mikelarena Peña, Fernando. Demografía y familia en la Navarra del Antiguo Régimen. 1995
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
