A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Comtois family of France.
Reg. 4951 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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'or à quatre bandes de gu., acc. en p. d'une coquille d'azur; au chef du même, ch. de deux coquilles du champ.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1503
Where the Comtois Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Comtois arms are recorded
The Comtois arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1503.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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 XII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XII of France
1498–1515
Reigning in France when the Comtois 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Comtois Family in France
The surname Comtois originated as a descriptive label for individuals who hailed from the Franche-Comté region of eastern France. By the early sixteenth century, members of this family had established a notable presence in the neighboring province of Lorraine, with records confirming their residence there as early as 1503. During this period, the name served as a geographical identifier, helping to distinguish these migrants from the local population as they settled into new communities. As these families integrated into the social and economic fabric of Lorraine, the name transitioned from a simple reference to their place of origin into a permanent hereditary surname. This process reflects the common historical practice of using regional identities to track the movement of people across European borders during the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Comitatus
Latin term for a county or a retinue of companions.
This name
ComtoisA person originating from the Franche-Comté region of eastern France.
also spelled
Comtoi
Comtoise
Comtwa
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
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
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
