A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bressman family of France.
Reg. 3874 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
branchPeace, and new growth
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 d'azur à une licorne assise d'arg.; au 2 d'arg. à deux branches en cercle, l'une à dextre d'olivier, l'autre à sen. de chêne, le tout de sin.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Bressman arms are recorded
The Bressman arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Bressman 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 Bressman Family in France
The family name Bressman traces its roots to the northwestern region of France known as Bretagne, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1725. During this period, the name was likely linked to the local geography or the specific occupations held by those living in the rural communities of the province. Families in 18th-century Bretagne often lived in close-knit agricultural villages, where their identities were shaped by the unique Celtic traditions and the Breton language that defined the region. As the family moved through the generations, the name served as a marker of their heritage in a land defined by its rugged coastline and deep connection to the sea. By maintaining their presence in the area, the early Bressmans contributed to the long history of a region known for its distinct cultural identity and resilience against the pressures of a changing nation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bresse
A historical region in eastern France.
This name
BressmanAn inhabitant or person originating from the Bresse region.
also spelled
Bressande
Bressant
Bresan
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1993
Le Goff, Jacques, La Bretagne et les Bretons, 1982
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
branchPeace, and new growth
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
branchPeace, and new growth
