A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cecile family of France.
Reg. 3481 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Bandé d'arg. et de gu.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1593
Where the Cecile Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Cecile arms are recorded
The Cecile arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1593.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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.
Henry IV of France
Sovereign of the period
Henry IV of France
1589–1610
Reigning in France when the Cecile 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Cecile Family in France
The family name Cecile finds its roots in the historical region of Franche-Comté, where records confirm the presence of the family as early as 1593. This area, located in eastern France near the border of Switzerland, was a unique territory that maintained a distinct cultural identity during the late sixteenth century. The name itself is derived from the Latin name Caecilius, which was a common Roman family name meaning blind or dim-sighted. Over many generations, the name evolved from its ancient Latin origins into the French version used by the families living in the Jura mountains and the surrounding valleys. By the time the family was documented in the late 1500s, they were likely integrated into the local agrarian or artisan communities that defined the social structure of this mountainous province. Their presence in the region during this period suggests they were part of the long-standing population that navigated the complex political shifts between the Spanish Habsburgs and the French crown during the Renaissance.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caecilius
Derived from the Latin word for blind.
This name
CecileA French feminine given name and surname signifying blindness or one who is sightless.
also spelled
Sesile
Sesil
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Benoit, Roger. Histoire de la Franche-Comté. 1989
Archives départementales du Doubs. Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux. 1593
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
