Map of France showing where the Clerico arms are recorded
The Clerico arms were recorded in Lyonnais, c. 1663.
Lyonnais centred on Lyon, one of the great banking and silk towns of France. Money made in the city bought estates in the countryside around it, and those estates brought arms with them.
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 Clerico 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 Lyonnais.
Origin & History of the Clerico Family in France
The surname Clerico originates from the Latin word *clericus*, which historically referred to a member of the clergy or a person who could read and write. During the Middle Ages, this title was often given to individuals who served as scribes, scholars, or administrators within the church or local government. By the time the family was recorded in the Lyonnais region of France in 1663, the name had evolved from a professional title into a hereditary surname passed down through generations. Living in the Lyonnais area, which served as a major cultural and commercial crossroads, the family likely benefited from the region's strong tradition of literacy and trade. Over time, the name became a marker of a family lineage that valued education and record-keeping, helping them establish a lasting presence in the social fabric of eastern France.
Clerico Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Clericus
A person belonging to the clergy or a learned scholar.
This name
ClericoAn occupational surname for a member of the clergy or a literate clerk.
also spelled
Cleriko
Clerich
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 départementales du Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil du Lyonnais, 1663
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
