Map of France showing where the Bribes arms are recorded
The Bribes 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 Bribes 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 Bribes Family in France
The family name Bribes traces its roots to the coastal region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this area. During the seventeenth century, Bretagne was a distinct province with its own unique traditions and social structure. Families living there often relied on the local landscape for their livelihoods, working in agriculture or maritime trades along the rugged Atlantic coastline. The name likely evolved from local dialects spoken in the region, reflecting the linguistic shifts that occurred as French became more standardized across the kingdom. As the family grew, they became part of the local community fabric, contributing to the daily life and history of their parish through generations of work and social connection.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brie
A geographical region in France known for its distinctive cheese.
This name
BribesA locative surname denoting someone who originated from the Brie region.
also spelled
Bryves
Brive
Brivess
Breev
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, 1663
Poterie, Michel, Histoire de la Bretagne et des Bretons, 1977
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
