Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à trois merlettes de sa.; au chef bandé d'or et d'azur.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Canchola family of France.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à trois merlettes de sa.; au chef bandé d'or et d'azur.”

The Canchola arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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.
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.
The surname Canchola carries a rich history that traces back to the coastal region of Bretagne in France during the early 18th century. By 1725, records confirm that members of the family were established within this area, which was known for its distinct maritime culture and strong regional identity. The name itself is believed to have evolved through local linguistic shifts, reflecting the blending of traditional Breton naming patterns with the broader influences of the French language. Families during this period often lived in close-knit agricultural or seafaring communities, where their surname served as a vital link to their specific village and ancestral roots. Over the following generations, the family expanded beyond these initial settlements, carrying their name and heritage into new regions while maintaining the historical legacy established in their original home.
Latin term referring to lattice, bars, or a cross-barred gate.