A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Briand family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9773 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
Colours
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'azur à trois banderoles d'or.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Briand Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Briand arms are recorded
The Briand arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 Briand 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Briand Family in France
The surname Briand finds its deep roots in the western region of France known as Brittany. The name is derived from the ancient Celtic word for high or noble, which reflects the status of early families who carried the title. By the mid-seventeenth century, the Briand family was firmly established within the social and economic fabric of the Breton countryside. Records from 1663 confirm their active presence in the region, where they were often involved in local agriculture and trade. During this era, families in Brittany lived under a unique set of regional customs that allowed them to maintain strong ties to their ancestral lands. As the family grew, they became part of the local administration and religious life of their parishes. This steady integration into the community helped the name persist through generations as a recognized part of the Breton heritage.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
branchPeace, and new growth
Colours
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)
“Tranché d'arg. sur sin.; l'arg. ch. d'une branche d'olivier de sin., en pal, fruitée d'une seule pièce de gu.”
VeniceVenice, c. 1775
Where the Briand Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Briand arms are recorded
The Briand arms were recorded in Venice, c. 1775.
Venice ran on trade, and its great families were merchants before they were anything else. The city kept a formal list of its noble houses, and a name on that list carried arms as a matter of 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 Italy in this period.
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
Sovereign of the period
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
1763–1778
Reigning in France when the Briand arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Italy
In the Italian states, coats of arms were often used by noble families to show their status and history. These symbols were passed down through the generations to all legitimate male descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design but sometimes added small changes to distinguish their specific line from the main branch.
Granting authority
Various local rulers and city governments controlled the use of coats of arms across the different Italian states.
How they got arms
Families often assumed their own arms or received them as official grants from local lords, popes, or city councils.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in local city archives or private family books rather than in one single national register.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Venice.
Origin & History of the Briand Family in Italy
The history of the Briand family in Italy is deeply tied to the vibrant commercial life of Venice during the late eighteenth century. By 1775, members of the family were well-established within the city, likely drawn to the region by its status as a major hub for Mediterranean trade and diplomacy. While the name itself carries roots that extend into broader European linguistic traditions, its presence in the Venetian Republic suggests a family that moved within circles of merchants, artisans, or administrative officials who kept the city running. Living in Venice during this period meant navigating a society defined by its unique maritime culture and its transition toward the end of its long independence. The family likely contributed to the local economy and social fabric of the city, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the cosmopolitan nature of Venetian life before the major political shifts of the nineteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brig
A Celtic term meaning high, exalted, or noble.
This name
BriandDerived from a personal name signifying strength, vigor, or an exalted person.
also spelled
Bryand
Briant
Briande
Brian
Related arms
Briant de Laubrièresame arms
Briantvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil. 1663
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur. Histoire de Bretagne. 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
branchPeace, and new growth
