A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bresson family of France.
Reg. 3754 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'arg. à un écusson d'azur en abîme, ch. d'une épée d'or, en pal.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Bresson Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bresson arms are recorded
The Bresson arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Bresson 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 Bresson Family in France
The family name Bresson originates from the historical region of France known as Bretagne, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. The name is likely derived from the French word bresse, which historically referred to a type of marshy or swampy land. In the seventeenth century, families were often identified by the specific landscape or geographical feature where they lived and worked. By settling in the rugged terrain of Bretagne, the early Bresson ancestors were likely farmers or laborers who adapted to the unique coastal environment of western France. Over time, the name became a permanent identifier for these individuals as they established their roots within the local parish communities and contributed to the regional history of the area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bresse
A geographical region in eastern France known for its marshy terrain.
This name
BressonA habitational name for someone who originated from the Bresse region.
also spelled
Bressonn
Bressone
Breson
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, 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.
swordJustice, and military honour
swordJustice, and military honour
