A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Combe family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3923 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
horseReadiness to serve king and country
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au chev. de gu., acc. en chef de deux têtes de cheval affr. de sa., et en p. d'un lion d'azur, tenant une branche de laurier de sin.”
Francec. 1810
Where the Combe Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Combe arms are recorded
The Combe arms were recorded in France, c. 1810.
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.
Napoleon
Sovereign of the period
Napoleon
1804–1814
Reigning in France when the Combe 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 Combe Family in France
The surname Combe is a topographical name that originated from the Old French word "combe," which refers to a small, narrow valley or a hollow in the landscape. Families who lived in or near these geographic features often adopted the name to distinguish themselves within their local communities. While the name is found throughout various regions of France, records confirm that members of the Combe family were well-established in the region of Bretagne by the early nineteenth century. During this period, the family likely lived as part of the rural agricultural society that defined the Breton landscape. Because the name is tied to the physical environment, it suggests that the earliest ancestors were deeply connected to the land they farmed and the specific valleys where they built their homes. As the family grew, they became part of the local history of Bretagne, contributing to the cultural and social fabric of the region as it transitioned through the political changes of the Napoleonic era and beyond.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Erm. three lions pass. in pale gu”
SurreyCobham Park · Surrey, c. 1583
Where the Combe Arms Were Recorded
Surrey
Map of England showing where the Combe arms are recorded
The Combe arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1583.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in France when the Combe 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Combe Family in England
The surname Combe is a classic example of a topographical name, which means it was originally given to people based on the landscape where they lived. In Old English, the word cumb refers to a deep, narrow valley or a hollow in the hills. By the time the name became established in England, families often adopted it to identify themselves as residents of these specific geographical features. While the name appears in various regions, the presence of the family in Surrey by 1583 highlights their deep roots in the English countryside. During this period, families were often tied to the land through farming or local trade, and the name served as a simple way to distinguish one household from another within a village. As the family grew and moved, they carried this connection to the valley landscape with them, turning a simple description of their home into a lasting family legacy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cumba
A Latin term referring to a valley or a hollow.
This name
CombeA topographic name for someone who lived in a small valley or a deep hollow.
also spelled
Combee
Combes
Komb
Combs
Coombes
Related arms
Goodwinsame arms
Caveliersimilar arms
Coombesvariant spelling
Coumbevariant spelling
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 d'Ille-et-Vilaine. État civil, registres de naissances, mariages et décès. 1810
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
horseReadiness to serve king and country
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
horseReadiness to serve king and country
lionCourage, strength and royalty
