A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brody family of France.
Reg. 2792 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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'arg. à trois aigles de gu.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1663
Where the Brody Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Brody arms are recorded
The Brody arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 Brody 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Brody Family in France
The family name Brody has deep roots that trace back to the region of Franche-Comté in eastern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents in this area, which was known for its rugged mountains and dense forests near the border of Switzerland. During the seventeenth century, families in this part of France often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where they worked as farmers or skilled craftspeople. The name likely evolved from local dialects used by the people living in these mountain valleys. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the agricultural and economic life of the region during a time of significant political change. Their presence in the historical record of Franche-Comté provides a clear link to the traditional lifestyle and culture of the French frontier during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
brod
A Gaelic or Old Irish term referring to a ditch or mire.
This name
BrodyDerived from a place name meaning dweller at the muddy place or ditch.
also spelled
Brodi
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Doubs, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Bousson de Mairet, Histoire de l'église et de la ville de Besançon, 1854
Dunod de Charnage, Histoire du comté de Bourgogne, 1737
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eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
