Map of France showing where the Breton arms are recorded
The Breton arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1663.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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 Breton 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Breton Family in France
The surname Breton originated as a descriptive name used to identify people who had migrated from the region of Brittany to other parts of France. During the medieval period, it was common for individuals to be known by their place of origin when they settled in a new community. By the time the family was firmly established in the province of Lorraine in 1663, the name had evolved from a simple geographical label into a hereditary family identifier. Living in Lorraine during the seventeenth century placed the family in a region that was frequently caught between the shifting borders of France and the Holy Roman Empire. This environment required families to be resilient and adaptable as they navigated the complex social and political changes of the era. The presence of the name in official records from this time suggests that the family had integrated into the local administrative and social structures of the Lorraine countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. two bars sa. a label of three points gu”
CambridgeshireCambridgeshire, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Breton arms are recorded
The Breton arms were recorded in Cambridgeshire, c. 1620.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Breton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cambridgeshire.
Origin & History of the Breton Family in England
The surname Breton arrived in England as a descriptive name, originally used to identify individuals who had migrated from the Brittany region of France. While the name became established across various English counties following the Norman Conquest, the branch of the family settled in Cambridgeshire by 1620 represents a significant point of local history. During the early seventeenth century, families in this region were often deeply tied to the agricultural landscape and the shifting social structures of the English countryside. The presence of the Breton name in Cambridgeshire records from this period suggests that these ancestors were likely part of the growing class of landowners or tradespeople who helped define the local economy. By maintaining their identity in the Fens and surrounding areas, these early family members contributed to the long-term demographic development of East Anglia.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a bend betw. six martlets or”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Breton arms are recorded
The Breton arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Breton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Breton Family in Ireland
The family name Breton arrived in Ireland as a reflection of the deep historical connections between the British Isles and the continent. While the name is often associated with people who originated from the Brittany region of France, its presence in Ireland became firmly established by the mid-seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the Breton family were living in Dublin, which was then a bustling center of trade and political activity. During this period, families with this surname often integrated into the urban merchant classes, contributing to the growing economic life of the city. As these early settlers established their households in Dublin, they became part of the diverse social fabric that defined the capital during a time of significant transition. Their presence highlights how individuals and families moved across borders to seek new opportunities in the changing landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland.
Breton Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Britto
A Latin term referring to the ancient Celtic inhabitants of Britain.
This name
BretonAn ethnic surname denoting a person who originated from Brittany or Britain.
also spelled
Bretonn
Bretone
Brittain
Briton
Related arms
Briton, Britain, or Brittonvariant spelling
Brownrecorded with Breton, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Lorraine, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
