A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bretagne family of France.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'herm. plein. C.: un lion d'or, assis entre deux cornes de buffle d'herm. Cri: MALO AU RICHE DUC! D.: A MA VIE.”
The Bretagne 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.
Reigning in France when the Bretagne arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Bretagne originates from the historic province of Brittany in northwestern France. By the early eighteenth century, families bearing this name were well-established within the region, reflecting a deep connection to the local landscape and culture. During the year 1725, records indicate that members of the family were active participants in the social and economic life of their communities. At that time, surnames often served as a way to identify a person’s place of origin, and those who carried the name Bretagne were likely recognized as being from this distinct Celtic territory. The family lived through a period of significant regional identity, as Brittany maintained its own unique customs and legal traditions despite being part of the larger French kingdom. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of their ancestral roots in this coastal area, linking the family’s history to the enduring heritage of the Breton people.
The Latin name for the island of Great Britain.
