A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bran family of France.
Reg. 8452 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
swordJustice, and military honour
lilyPurity and the promise of resurrection
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'or à deux épées d'azur, passées en saut.; à la croix de sin., br. sur le tout et ch. d'une tige de lis d'arg., terrassée du même.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1817
Where the Bran Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bran arms are recorded
The Bran arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1817.
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.
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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Bran Family in France
The surname Bran has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm family members were established by the early nineteenth century. The name itself is likely derived from the Breton word for a crow, a bird that held significant symbolic importance in ancient Celtic folklore and mythology. In the linguistic landscape of Bretagne, names often reflected the natural world or the distinct cultural identity of the local people. By 1817, families bearing this name were integrated into the social and agricultural fabric of the region, living through a period of significant political and economic transition in post-revolutionary France. These early ancestors were part of a resilient population that maintained unique linguistic and cultural traditions despite the growing influence of the central French state. The history of the name is therefore tied closely to the rugged landscape and the enduring heritage of the Breton people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brennos
A Celtic term meaning prince, king, or raven.
This name
BranDerived from the Old French word for raven, often used as a nickname for someone with dark hair.
also spelled
Brynn
Bran
Brinn
Bryn
Bryne
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Gautier, Hervé. Dictionnaire des noms de famille de Bretagne. 1993
Archives départementales du Morbihan. État civil, registres de naissances, mariages et décès. 1817
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
swordJustice, and military honour
lilyPurity and the promise of resurrection
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
swordJustice, and military honour
lilyPurity and the promise of resurrection
