Map of France showing where the Cecilio arms are recorded
The Cecilio arms were recorded in France, c. 1570.
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.
Charles IX of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles IX of France
1560–1574
Reigning in France when the Cecilio 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 Cecilio Family in France
The name Cecilio carries a rich history that traces back to the Latin term *caecus*, which means blind. While the name has deep roots in Mediterranean regions, its presence in the Brittany region of France by 1570 highlights the movement of families during the Renaissance. In this era, families often settled in coastal areas like Brittany to participate in the growing maritime trade and local administrative roles. The transition of the name into French society suggests that these early members were likely integrated into the professional or merchant classes of the time. By living in Brittany, the family became part of a unique cultural landscape that blended traditional French customs with the distinct regional identity of the Breton people. This period of history shows how a family name could travel across borders and adapt to new environments while maintaining its historical identity.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Barry of ten ar. and az. over all six escutcheons sa. three, two, and one, each charged with a lion ramp. of the first”
EnglandExeter, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Cecilio arms are recorded
The Cecilio arms were recorded in Exeter, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 Cecilio 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 England.
Origin & History of the Cecilio Family in England
The name Cecilio carries a rich history that traces back to the Latin word caecus, which means blind. While the name has deep roots in Mediterranean cultures, its presence in England became more distinct during the seventeenth century. By 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England. Families living in the city at that time often worked as merchants or skilled craftsmen who helped support the local economy. The Cecilio family likely integrated into this bustling urban environment by participating in the local guilds and parish activities that defined life in York. As they settled into the community, they contributed to the diverse social fabric of a city that was then recovering from the political shifts of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caecilius
Derived from the Latin word for blind.
This name
CecilioA surname of Roman origin signifying a descendant of the blind one.
also spelled
Sesil
Sitsilt
Syssell
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Morvan, Françoise. La douce vie des fées des houles. 2005
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
lionCourage, strength and royalty
hat or capDignity, and the honour of office
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
lionCourage, strength and royalty
hat or capDignity, and the honour of office
