Map of France showing where the Chang arms are recorded
The Chang arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Chang 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 Chang Family in France
The family name Chang has deep roots that stretch across different cultures and regions. While the name is most famously associated with East Asian origins, historical records confirm that individuals bearing this name were established in the Brittany region of France as early as 1663. In this coastal area, families often lived in small, tightly knit communities where they worked in maritime trades or local agriculture. The presence of the name in seventeenth-century Brittany suggests that these early family members were part of a period of significant social movement and regional development. By settling in this rugged landscape, these ancestors helped shape the local history of their villages through their daily labor and community involvement. Their life in Brittany reflects a time when families were defined by their connection to the land and their contributions to the local economy.
Chang Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cambium
Latin term referring to exchange or change.
This name
ChangDerived from a topographic name for someone living near a site of trade or exchange.
also spelled
Changie
Changyi
Changyy
Shanje
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
