Map of France showing where the Bontempo arms are recorded
The Bontempo arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Bontempo 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 Bontempo Family in France
The name Bontempo originates from the Italian words "buon" and "tempo," which translate to "good time" or "fair weather." It was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person with a cheerful personality or someone who brought good fortune to their community. By the mid-17th century, the family had established a presence in the Brittany region of France, as evidenced by records dating back to 1663. During this era, families with Italian roots often migrated across Europe to pursue opportunities in trade, craftsmanship, or military service. Settling in Brittany suggests that these early ancestors were likely integrated into the local French society while maintaining the unique identity of their surname. This transition from an Italian descriptive name to a settled family line in western France highlights the mobility of people during the early modern period.
Bontempo Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Bonus tempus
Latin for good time or favorable season.
This name
BontempoA descriptive surname for someone who lived during a good time or possessed a pleasant disposition.
also spelled
Bontem
Bontom
Bontemp
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wolfReward from long service and hard work
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
wolfReward from long service and hard work
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
