Map of France showing where the Calfo arms are recorded
The Calfo 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 Calfo 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 Calfo Family in France
The family name Calfo has deep roots tied to the northern regions of France, specifically within the historic province of Normandie. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents in this area. During the seventeenth century, Normandie was a hub of agricultural activity and maritime trade, which likely shaped the daily lives and occupations of early family members. The name itself is thought to be linked to regional dialects of the time, potentially reflecting the specific trade or geographic location of the family’s ancestors. As part of the local population, these early individuals contributed to the social and economic fabric of the province before many families began to migrate to other parts of the world. Their presence in 1663 serves as a clear starting point for tracing the lineage and movement of the family through the centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Calvus
A Latin term meaning bald or hairless.
This name
CalfoA nickname originally used to describe a person who was bald or had very little hair.
also spelled
Kalf
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, 1663
Gautier, Hippolyte, La vie en France au XVIIe siècle, 1895
Le Cacheux, Paul, Essai historique sur les institutions de la Normandie, 1928
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bullValour and generosity
bullValour and generosity
