Map of France showing where the Cichon arms are recorded
The Cichon arms were recorded in Bresse, c. 1725.
Bresse was flat farming country in eastern France, known for its poultry and its markets. Its landed families were modest and long-settled, and steady holding of the same ground is what fills a register.
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 Cichon 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 Bresse.
Origin & History of the Cichon Family in France
The surname Cichon finds its roots in the Slavic regions of Central Europe, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a shortened form of a given name. By the early 18th century, members of the family had established a presence in the Bresse region, a historic area located in eastern France. This migration suggests that the family was part of the broader movement of people across the European continent during a time of agricultural and social change. Living in Bresse in 1725, these early ancestors were likely integrated into the local rural economy, which was famous for its traditional farming and livestock practices. Over time, the name persisted through generations as the family adapted to the local language and customs of their new home while maintaining the unique identity tied to their ancestral roots.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cichy
A Polish adjective meaning quiet, silent, or calm.
This name
CichonA nickname derived from the Polish word for quiet, likely referring to a person's temperament.
also spelled
Chichone
Chichonne
Chichont
Sheeshon
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Ain, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la commune de Bresse, 1725
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
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greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
