A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Caprara family of France.
Reg. 0269 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 de gu. au lion d'or, arm. et lamp. du champ; au 2 d'azur à six étoiles d'or. Cq. cour. C.: le lion, iss. L.: à dextre d'or et de gu., à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Caprara Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Caprara arms are recorded
The Caprara 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Caprara 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 Caprara Family in France
The Caprara name carries a rich history that traces its roots back to the Italian peninsula, where it was derived from the Latin word for goat, likely referring to a person who herded these animals or lived in a rocky area where they grazed. By the early 18th century, members of the family had moved beyond their Italian origins and established a presence in the Brittany region of France. Records confirm that the family was settled in this coastal area by 1725, where they integrated into the local community and adapted to the distinct culture of the region. This migration suggests that the family members were likely merchants, skilled tradespeople, or travelers who moved across European borders to seek new opportunities. Their transition from Italy to the rugged landscape of Brittany highlights the mobility of families during this era and their ability to maintain their identity while settling in a new land.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Capra
Latin word meaning a female goat.
This name
CapraraAn occupational surname for a goat herder or someone associated with goats.
also spelled
Capraria
Capraro
Capraras
Kaprara
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B, Fonds de la juridiction de Rennes
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Boutier, Jean, Les sociétés rurales en Bretagne au XVIIIe siècle, 1984
Le Goff, Hervé, Les migrations italiennes en France sous l'Ancien Régime, 1999
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
lionCourage, strength and royalty
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
