A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Blakney family of France.
Reg. 8389 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. au chev. d'herm., acc. de trois têtes de léopard d'or. C.: un bras, en pal, paré d'azur, iss. de nuées, tenant une épée au nat. T.: à dextre un soldat du 27e régiment, posé de front; à sen. un léopard lionné au nat., semé de grenades allumées au nat., sommé d'une couronne murale de gu., posant la jambe dextre sur une grenade allumée au nat. D.: AUXILIUM MEUM AB ALTO.”
Francec. 1756
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of France showing where the Blakney arms are recorded
The Blakney arms were recorded in France, c. 1756.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Blakney 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 Blakney Family in France
The Blakney family name carries a history deeply connected to the movement of people across Western Europe. By the middle of the eighteenth century, records confirm that family members were established in the region of Bretagne in France. During this period, the name was often associated with families who navigated the complex social and political shifts of the time. Many individuals with this surname were involved in trade or local administration, which allowed them to maintain a stable presence in the coastal towns of the province. As the family grew, they adapted to the local culture of Bretagne while preserving their unique identity. This era marked a significant chapter for the family as they integrated into the community and contributed to the local economy before many eventually moved to other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Blaec
Old English term referring to the color black or dark.
This name
BlakneyA habitational name derived from a dark or black island or clearing.
also spelled
Blakeny
Blakenie
Blakney
Blaykney
Blackney
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)
Poterie, Henri, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1965
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
