A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bravard family of France.
Reg. 4178 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
columnFortitude and constancy
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 de gu. au léopard d'or; au 2 d'azur au dauphin d'arg., posé en fasce, courbé en demi-cercle vers le bas, acc. en chef de deux croiss. d'or; au 3 d'azur à trois colonnes accostées d'arg.; au 4 d'azur au château flanqué de deux tours d'arg.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Bravard Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Bravard arms are recorded
The Bravard arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 Bravard 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Bravard Family in France
The family name Bravard finds its historical roots in the lush, coastal region of Normandy, France, where records confirm the presence of the family as early as 1663. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Old French word brave, which historically described a person who was courageous, bold, or perhaps even a bit boastful in their demeanor. During the seventeenth century, families in Normandy were often deeply connected to the land and the local parish structure, meaning the Bravards likely lived as independent farmers or skilled tradespeople within their rural communities. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, participating in the daily life and religious traditions that defined life in northern France during the reign of King Louis XIV. By establishing themselves in Normandy during this era, the early Bravards contributed to the long-standing cultural identity of a region known for its resilience and strong maritime and agricultural traditions.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
brave
Derived from the Old Italian word bravo meaning bold or courageous.
This name
BravardA descriptive nickname for a person characterized by their boldness, courage, or fierce nature.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille 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.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
columnFortitude and constancy
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
columnFortitude and constancy
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
