A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brisard family of France.
Reg. 0343 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la fasce d'azur, surm. de deux étoiles de gu.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Brisard Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Brisard arms are recorded
The Brisard arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 Brisard 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Brisard Family in France
The family name Brisard finds its roots in the historic region of Normandy, France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this coastal province. The name itself is thought to be descriptive, likely originating from a nickname used to identify a person with a bold or spirited personality. During the seventeenth century, Normandy was a hub of agricultural activity and maritime trade, and families like the Brisards were often deeply connected to the local land and parish life. As the region experienced significant social changes, many families from this area began to expand their influence, eventually contributing to the broader cultural fabric of French society. The presence of the family in Normandy during this era suggests they were part of the hardworking population that helped shape the local customs and traditions of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
brisier
Old French verb meaning to break, shatter, or smash.
This name
BrisardA nickname for a forceful or destructive person, or one who breaks things.
also spelled
Bryzard
Brisart
Brizard
Bree-zar
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Le Mée, René, La population de la France au XVIIe siècle, 1984
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
