A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brès family of France.
Reg. 7559 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à la bande d'arg., acc. de quatre molettes d'or, 2 en chef et 2 en p.”
LanguedocLanguedoc, c. 1663
Where the Brès Arms Were Recorded
Languedoc
Map of France showing where the Brès arms are recorded
The Brès arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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 Brès 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 Languedoc.
Origin & History of the Brès Family in France
The surname Brès is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Languedoc region in southern France. By the mid-seventeenth century, families bearing this name were well-established in local communities, as evidenced by records dating back to 1663. The name likely originated as a topographic descriptor, referring to individuals who lived near specific geographic features or landmarks common to the rugged terrain of the Occitan-speaking areas. During this era, the Brès family lived through a period of significant religious and social transition in France, which often influenced how families settled and identified themselves within their parishes. Because the name is closely tied to the linguistic traditions of the south, it reflects the distinct cultural identity of the Languedoc people who maintained their own customs and naming conventions long after the region was integrated into the French kingdom.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bresse
A geographical region or a marshy, swampy area.
This name
BrèsA topographic name for someone who lived in the Bresse region or near a marsh.
also spelled
Bress
Bre
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Hérault, État civil et registres paroissiaux
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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
