A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Calver family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7455 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Palé d'or et de sa.; à la bande de l'un en l'autre. Cq. cour. C.: deux banderoles flottantes à dextre, l'une d'or et l'autre de sa., les trabes de gu. S.: deux léopards naturels, la tête posée de front. D.: FATTI MASGHII, PAROLE FEMINE.”
Francec. 1624
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Map of France showing where the Calver arms are recorded
The Calver arms were recorded in France, c. 1624.
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 XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1617–1643
Reigning in France when the Calver 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 Calver Family in France
The history of the Calver family in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Bretagne, where records confirm their presence as early as 1624. During this period, the region was a distinct province with its own unique customs and social structures, often operating with a degree of independence from the French crown. Families living in Bretagne at this time were frequently involved in local agriculture or maritime trade, as the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean shaped the daily lives and economic opportunities of the coastal population. The name likely evolved through local dialects, reflecting the linguistic blend of Gallo and Breton influences common in the area. By settling in this region, the early members of the family became part of a resilient community that navigated the complex religious and political shifts of seventeenth-century France. Their presence in the historical record during the 1620s suggests they were established participants in the local society, contributing to the development of their parish and the broader regional identity of western France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. on an inescutcheon within an orle of owls ar. three guttes of the field”
LancasterLancaster, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Calver arms are recorded
The Calver arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Calver arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Calver Family in England
The surname Calver is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for people who lived near a calf pasture or a place where calves were raised. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Lancashire. Records confirm that members of the Calver family were living in this region by 1620, a period defined by significant social and religious shifts in Northern England. During this time, families in Lancashire were often deeply connected to the local agricultural economy and the growing textile trade. As the name spread from its early origins, it became a marker of families who navigated the transition from rural life to the more structured society of the Stuart era. These early ancestors helped shape the local identity of their communities, leaving behind a legacy that remains tied to the history of Northwest England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Calvus
Latin term meaning bald or hairless.
This name
CalverA topographic or occupational name referring to a bald person or one who tended calves.
also spelled
Calverd
Kalvert
Calvard
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série B (Archives de la juridiction seigneuriale)
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série G (Clergé séculier)
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1898
Pocquet du Haut-Jussé, Barthélémy, La vie quotidienne en Bretagne au XVIIe siècle, 1965
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
