A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Combes family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2765 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à la bande d'or, acc. de quatre bill. du même, trois en chef posées en demi-orle, et 1 en p.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1663
Where the Combes Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Combes arms are recorded
The Combes arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 Combes 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Combes Family in France
The surname Combes 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 near these distinct geographical features often adopted the name to identify their place of residence. By the mid-seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the Combes family were well-established in the region of Franche-Comté. This area, located in eastern France near the border of Switzerland, was known for its rugged terrain and deep valleys that perfectly matched the meaning of the family name. The people living there during this period were often involved in agriculture or forestry, as the valley floors provided essential resources for survival in the mountainous landscape. As the family grew, they became deeply connected to the local culture and history of this specific French province, helping to shape the identity of the region through their presence in local parish registers and community life.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
pine treeSteadfastness through every season
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 sapins de sin., posés sur les trois coupeaux d'une colline du même.”
SwitzerlandGenève, c. 1745
Where the Combes Arms Were Recorded
Genève
Map of Switzerland showing where the Combes arms are recorded
The Combes arms were recorded in Genève, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Combes Family in Switzerland
The family name Combes finds its roots in the topographical features of the landscape, as the name originates from the Old French word for a small valley or a hollow. By the time members of the family were documented in Geneva in 1745, they were part of a region known for its complex history of migration and religious refuge. During the eighteenth century, Geneva served as a vital crossroads for families moving across borders to escape political or religious pressures in neighboring lands. The Combes family likely integrated into the local economy by engaging in the city’s famous trades, such as watchmaking or banking, which were the cornerstones of Genevan life at the time. Their presence in the city records reflects a period of growth and stability for many families who settled in the Swiss cantons to build new lives within the unique political structure of the Swiss Confederation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cumba
A Latin term referring to a valley or a hollow.
This name
CombesA topographic surname for someone who lived in or near a valley.
also spelled
Combe
Combez
Komb
Related arms
Duboissimilar arms
Combevariant 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
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
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
pine treeSteadfastness through every season
