A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cefali family of France.
Reg. 0763 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
knightChivalry and service in arms
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. au lion d'or, celui du 1 cont.; au 2 parti: a. d'azur à une étoile (6) d'or; b. d'arg. à une couleuvre d'azur, engloutissante un enfant de gu.; au 3 comme au 2, les compartiments intervertis.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Cefali Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Cefali arms are recorded
The Cefali 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 Cefali 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 Cefali Family in France
The family name Cefali carries a history deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of eighteenth-century France. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne by 1725. During this period, Bretagne was a distinct province known for its strong maritime traditions and unique local customs. Families living in this area often played vital roles in the local economy, which relied heavily on trade, agriculture, and seafaring activities. As the Cefali family settled into this environment, they became part of the social fabric of the region, navigating the challenges and opportunities of life in pre-revolutionary France. Their presence in Bretagne suggests a history connected to the development of local communities and the long-standing traditions of the French Atlantic coast.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cephalus
Derived from the Greek word for head or leader.
This name
CefaliA locative or occupational surname likely referring to someone living near a headland or a prominent leader.
also spelled
Kefali
Sefali
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 Bretagne)
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Pocquet du Haut-Jussé, Barthélémy, Histoire de Bretagne, 1937
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
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
knightChivalry and service in arms
lionCourage, strength and royalty
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
knightChivalry and service in arms
