A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chapuis family of France.
Reg. 2871 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à l'aigle d'or, acc. en chef de deux croiss. d'arg.”
FranceLyon, c. 1663
Where the Chapuis Arms Were Recorded
Lyon
Map of France showing where the Chapuis arms are recorded
The Chapuis arms were recorded in Lyon, c. 1663.
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 Chapuis 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 Chapuis Family in France
The surname Chapuis is a classic example of a topographic name, which was common in medieval France to identify individuals by their surroundings or trade. It is derived from the Old French word "chapi," which refers to a hooded cloak or a cape. Historically, the name likely functioned as a nickname for a person who either manufactured these garments or was frequently seen wearing a distinctive hooded cloak. By the time the family was firmly established in Lyon in 1663, the name had become a fixed hereditary surname. During the seventeenth century, Lyon was a major European hub for the silk trade and banking, suggesting that early members of the Chapuis family were likely integrated into the city’s vibrant merchant class or skilled artisan guilds. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the Rhône-Alpes region, contributing to the local economy and urban development of one of France’s most important historical cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
chape
A cloak, cape, or hooded garment worn in medieval times.
This name
ChapuisA topographic name for someone who lived near a chapel or a maker of cloaks.
also spelled
Chappuis
Shapwee
Related arms
Chappuis de Chexbresvariant spelling
Chappuis de la Combayvariant spelling
Chappuis de Pommiersvariant spelling
Chapuys de Montlavillevariant spelling
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
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives municipales de Lyon, Registres paroissiaux de la ville de Lyon, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
