A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Clemens family of France.
Reg. 3335 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à trois pals de gu.”
Francec. 1718
Where the Clemens Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Clemens arms are recorded
The Clemens arms were recorded in France, c. 1718.
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 Clemens 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 Clemens Family in France
The family name Clemens originates from the Latin word clemens, which means mild, gentle, or merciful. In the context of early European history, the name was often adopted as a personal name by early Christians who wanted to reflect these virtuous traits. By the time the family was established in the Brittany region of France in 1718, the name had evolved into a hereditary surname passed down through generations. Families living in this coastal area during the early eighteenth century were often tied to the land or maritime trade, and records from this period show that the Clemens name was well-integrated into the local social fabric. As the family grew, they contributed to the unique cultural and linguistic traditions of the Breton people, maintaining their identity through parish records and community life. The persistence of the name in this region highlights a long history of stability and local connection that defined the lives of these early ancestors.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clemens
Latin adjective meaning merciful, gentle, or mild in temperament.
This name
ClemensA surname derived from a personal name signifying a compassionate or kind-hearted individual.
also spelled
Klemens
Clemmens
Related arms
Clemenzvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales du Finistère, Fonds de l'état civil
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
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paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
