Map of France showing where the Caire arms are recorded
The Caire arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement is what fills a register.
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 Caire 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 Provence.
Origin & History of the Caire Family in France
The family name Caire has deep roots in the Provence region of southeastern France, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1663. The name is believed to be a regional variation of the Old Occitan word *caire*, which translates to a square, a corner, or a stone block. This suggests that the earliest ancestors likely earned the name through their professional lives, perhaps as stonemasons or builders who shaped the rugged landscape of the Mediterranean coast. During the seventeenth century, families in this area were often tied closely to the land and local trade guilds. As the Caire family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Provençal village life, living through a period of significant cultural and agricultural development in the region. Their presence in the historical record during this time reflects a long-standing connection to the traditions and geography of southern France.
Caire Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
carius
Latin term derived from the word for dear or beloved.
This name
CaireA locative surname referring to someone who originated from the city of Cairo.
also spelled
Kaire
Cairre
Kair
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
Mistral, Frédéric. Lou Tresor dóu Felibrige ou Dictionnaire provençal-français. 1878
Archives départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
