A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bless family of France.
Reg. 2436 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 une double anille de sa. C.: le meuble de l'écu, la traverse supp. une queue de paon au nat.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Bless Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bless arms are recorded
The Bless arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 Bless 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 Bless Family in France
The family name Bless carries a history deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of western France. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne. During this era, life in Bretagne was defined by a strong connection to the land and the distinct traditions of the local communities. Families with this name likely participated in the agricultural and maritime activities that supported the regional economy. As the eighteenth century progressed, the name became part of the social fabric of the area, reflecting the movement and settlement patterns common to families living in the coastal provinces of the French kingdom. The presence of the family in this specific region suggests a long-standing integration into the local parish life and the historical development of the Breton countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Benedictus
Latin term meaning blessed or well spoken of.
This name
BlessA surname derived from a nickname for a person considered fortunate or holy.
also spelled
Blesse
Bles
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série B, Archives de la juridiction de Quimper
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Ogée, Jean, Dictionnaire historique et géographique de la province de Bretagne, 1778
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
millrind / fer de molineThe mill's iron, and the grinding of grain
