A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Blache family of France.
Reg. 0325 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. au chev. d'or, acc. de trois roses du même; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles d'or.”
VivaraisVivarais, c. 1663
Where the Blache Arms Were Recorded
Vivarais
Map of France showing where the Blache arms are recorded
The Blache arms were recorded in Vivarais, c. 1663.
Vivarais was rough upland country above the Rhone, poor and thinly settled. Its gentry held small estates for very long periods, and long tenure counted for more than wealth when arms were recorded.
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 Blache 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 Vivarais.
Origin & History of the Blache Family in France
The family name Blache finds its deep historical roots in the rugged landscape of the Vivarais region in southeastern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established within this mountainous area, which is known today as the Ardèche department. The name itself is likely derived from the Old Occitan word blach, which referred to a specific type of oak tree or a clearing in a forest. This suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely people who lived near these distinct natural landmarks or worked the land in the forested hillsides. As residents of the Vivarais, the family would have lived through a period of significant religious and social change, navigating the challenges of rural life in a province known for its steep valleys and isolated villages. Over generations, the Blache family became a part of the local fabric, contributing to the agricultural and social development of the region long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
blanc
A Germanic or Old French term meaning white or fair.
This name
BlacheA descriptive nickname for someone with pale skin, light hair, or wearing white clothing.
also spelled
Blash
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albin Mazon, Histoire de Privas, 1886
Jean-Pierre Gutton, La société et les pauvres en Europe (XVIe-XVIIIe siècles), 1974
Archives départementales de l'Ardèche, État civil et registres paroissiaux du Vivarais
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
