Map of France showing where the Corbière arms are recorded
The Corbière arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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 Corbière 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 Languedoc.
Origin & History of the Corbière Family in France
The surname Corbière originates from the rugged landscapes of southern France, specifically within the historic region of Languedoc. The name is derived from the Occitan word for raven, which suggests that early ancestors may have been identified by their proximity to rocky, bird-inhabited cliffs or perhaps by a descriptive nickname. By 1663, records confirm that members of the Corbière family were well-established in this area, living as part of a society deeply influenced by local agricultural traditions and the complex social structures of the French provinces. During this period, the family likely navigated the challenges of living under the absolute monarchy of Louis XIV, which brought significant changes to how families were taxed and recorded in local parish registers. As the family grew, their presence in Languedoc became a permanent part of the regional identity, reflecting a history tied to the land and the distinct cultural heritage of southern France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ravenConstancy and divine providence
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 un corbeau ess. de sa. C.: le corbeau. S.: deux corbeaux de sa.”
GermanyHan, c. 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Germany showing where the Corbière arms are recorded
The Corbière arms were recorded in Han, c. 1765.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in France when the Corbière arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Corbière Family in Germany
The family name Corbière carries a distinct history that reflects the movement of people across European borders during the eighteenth century. While the name originates from French roots, its presence in Germany became firmly established by the mid-1700s. Official records confirm that members of the family were living in the town of Han by 1765. During this era, many families with French surnames settled in German territories due to shifting political boundaries and the search for new professional opportunities. These early settlers often integrated into local administrative or military roles, helping to bridge the cultural gap between their ancestral heritage and their new German home. By maintaining their distinct family identity while adapting to the local community in Han, the Corbière family became a small but notable part of the region's social fabric during the Enlightenment period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ravenConstancy and divine providence
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 un corbeau de sa.”
GenevoisGenevois, c. 1745
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Switzerland showing where the Corbière arms are recorded
The Corbière arms were recorded in Genevois, c. 1745.
Genevois was Alpine country south of Geneva, held in small estates by families who stayed put. Land there passed down the same line for centuries, and long tenure counted for more than wealth.
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 Genevois.
Origin & History of the Corbière Family in Switzerland
The family name Corbière carries a deep connection to the French-speaking regions of Switzerland, particularly within the historic territory of the Genevois. While the name originates from the French word for raven, its presence in the Alpine landscape suggests a long history of families settling in the fertile valleys near Lake Geneva. By 1745, records confirm that members of the Corbière family were firmly established as active participants in the social and economic life of the region. During this period, the family likely worked as farmers or skilled tradespeople, contributing to the growth of local mountain communities. As they integrated into Swiss society, they became part of the unique cultural blend that defines the borderlands between France and Switzerland. Their early history reflects the broader movement of families who sought stability and opportunity in the shadow of the Alps during the eighteenth century.
Corbière Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Corvus
Latin term referring to a raven or crow.
This name
CorbièreA topographic name for someone living near a place frequented by ravens or crows.
also spelled
Corbyere
Korbier
Corbier
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Boutaric, Edgar, La France sous Philippe le Bel, 1861
Le Roy Ladurie, Emmanuel, Les Paysans de Languedoc, 1966
Archives Départementales de l'Hérault, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, Series E
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
ravenConstancy and divine providence
