A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Claude family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5565 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au chev. d'or, acc. de trois glands du même.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1492
Where the Claude Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Claude arms are recorded
The Claude arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1492.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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.
Charles VIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles VIII of France
1483–1498
Reigning in France when the Claude 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Claude Family in France
The surname Claude traces its roots to the ancient Latin name Claudius, which gained significant popularity in France due to the influence of Saint Claude, a seventh-century bishop. By the late fifteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the Lorraine region, a territory that served as a cultural bridge between the French and German worlds. During this era, families in Lorraine often lived through periods of shifting borders and political transitions, which shaped the way they recorded their identities in local parish registers. As the name spread from its ecclesiastical origins into a hereditary family title, it became deeply embedded in the social fabric of eastern France. The members of the Claude family in 1492 were part of a growing class of citizens who lived through the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, a time when surnames became essential for tracking property and legal rights within the community.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Barry wavy of six or and az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Claude Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Claude arms are recorded
The Claude arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Claude arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Claude Family in England
The surname Claude carries a rich history that traces back to the Latin name Claudius, which means lame or crippled. While the name has deep roots in continental Europe, particularly in France, its presence in England became more distinct during the seventeenth century. By 1620, records confirm that members of the Claude family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and religious life, suggesting that these early settlers were likely involved in the city’s bustling merchant or craft communities. As the family integrated into English society, they navigated the shifting social landscape of the Stuart era, moving from their origins as newcomers to becoming part of the local fabric of northern England. Their presence in such a prominent city indicates that they were likely part of the wave of families seeking new opportunities in the urban centers of the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Claudius
Derived from the Latin word claudus meaning lame or limping.
This name
ClaudeA French surname originating from a Roman clan name indicating a physical limp or disability.
also spelled
Clode
Clod
Claud
Claudy
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série E (Familles et notaires)
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
