A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bras family of France.
Reg. 5575 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au griffon de gu.; à la fasce d'arg., br. sur le tout.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the Bras Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the Bras arms are recorded
The Bras arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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 Bras 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 Flandre.
Origin & History of the Bras Family in France
The family name Bras has deep roots in the historical region of Flanders, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1663. In the Dutch and French languages spoken throughout this area, the word "bras" translates to arm, which suggests the name likely began as a descriptive nickname. During the Middle Ages, it was common for people to be identified by a specific physical trait, such as someone who possessed great physical strength or perhaps a person who had suffered an injury to their arm. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric of the Flemish countryside, likely working as farmers, craftspeople, or laborers. Over the centuries, the name remained tied to this region, reflecting the linguistic blend of the area and the simple, practical ways that surnames were first established among common families.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
brachium
Latin term referring to the arm or a branch.
This name
BrasA topographic or occupational name for someone with a strong arm or a branch-like limb.
also spelled
Brase
Brass
Braas
Bra
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Debrabandere, Frans. Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk, 2003
Rijksarchief in België (State Archives of Belgium). Parochieregisters (Dopen, Huwelijken, Begrafenissen), 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
