A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cigala family of France.
Reg. 1260 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Purple (Purpure)Means: Royal majesty
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à l'aigle ép. de pourpre, chaque tête cour. d'or. - Ou: Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à quatre roses à quatre feuilles de gu., 2 et 2; aux 2 et 3 d'or à l'aigle de pourpre, cour. d'or.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Cigala arms are recorded
The Cigala 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 Cigala 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 Cigala Family in France
The family name Cigala carries a rich history that traces its roots back to the Mediterranean region before spreading into other parts of Europe. While the name is famously associated with powerful merchant families in Genoa, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the region of Bretagne, France, by 1725. During this period, the family likely integrated into the local social and economic structures of the French coast. Many families with this surname were known for their involvement in maritime trade and commerce, which explains their movement across different European territories. By settling in Bretagne, the Cigala family became part of the local community, contributing to the professional and civic life of the area during the eighteenth century. Their presence in this region reflects the broader patterns of migration and family expansion that defined European history during the early modern era.
Cigala Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cicada
A large insect known for its loud, rhythmic chirping sound.
This name
CigalaA nickname likely referring to a talkative person or someone with a loud voice.
also spelled
Cigalae
Cigalah
Cigal
Seegala
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Grendi, Edoardo. I Guaschi: Una famiglia genovese. 1981
Archivio di Stato di Genova, Notai antichi
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eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
