Map of France showing where the Colangelo arms are recorded
The Colangelo arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Colangelo 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 Colangelo Family in France
The family name Colangelo carries a deep history that reflects the movement of people across European borders during the seventeenth century. While the name is widely recognized as having Italian roots, with "Colangelo" combining the names Nicola and Angelo, its presence in the French region of Bretagne by 1663 suggests a story of migration and adaptation. Families during this era often traveled for trade, military service, or religious reasons, carrying their surnames into new linguistic landscapes. As these individuals settled in Bretagne, they likely integrated into the local community while maintaining their distinct ancestral identity. This early record serves as a vital link, showing that the family was already established in western France long before the modern era of global travel.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nicolaus
Victory of the people derived from Greek elements.
This name
ColangeloA patronymic surname meaning son of the little angel or little Nicholas.
also spelled
Colange
Colanj
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
De Felice, Emidio, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani, 1978
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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
