A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cornwallis family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2748 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de sa. semé de larmes d'arg.; à la fasce du même, ch. de trois choucas an nat. (Cornwallis); aux 2 et 3 d'or au chef denché d'azur, l'or ch. d'un croiss. d'azur posé au point du chef (Butler). C.: un cerf d'arg., ramé d'or, couché sur une colline de sin. et coll. d'une guirlande de laurier du même. S.: deux cerfs d'arg., ramés d'or, chacun d'une guirlande de laurier de sin. D.: VIRTUS VINCIT INVIDIAM.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Cornwallis Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Cornwallis arms are recorded
The Cornwallis arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Cornwallis 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 Cornwallis Family in France
The Cornwallis family name carries a deep connection to the coastal region of Brittany, France, where members of the lineage were firmly established by the early eighteenth century. While the name is often associated with English nobility, its presence in France highlights the fluid movement of families across the English Channel during a time of intense political and social change. By 1725, these individuals were integrated into the local society of Bretagne, likely navigating the complex landscape of French provincial life while maintaining their ancestral identity. This period in France was marked by a focus on land ownership and regional influence, which provided a stable foundation for the family to flourish within the local community. Their residence in this specific part of France suggests that they were part of a broader network of families who moved between the two nations for trade, diplomacy, or personal reasons. This historical footprint in Brittany serves as a fascinating reminder that the family story was shaped by both British roots and a distinct French experience.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. three Cornish choughs sa”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Cornwallis Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Cornwallis arms are recorded
The Cornwallis arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Cornwallis arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Cornwallis Family in Ireland
The Cornwallis family established a significant presence in Ireland by the mid-seventeenth century, with records confirming their residence in Dublin by 1645. While the name originated in England, members of the family moved across the Irish Sea to participate in the administrative and social life of the capital during a period of intense political transition. These early settlers often integrated into the local government and legal circles of Dublin, which allowed them to secure land and influence within the region. By settling in the city during this era, the family became part of the broader movement of English families who helped reshape the urban landscape of Ireland. Their early history in Dublin reflects the common patterns of migration and professional advancement that defined the lives of many prominent families during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cornu Galliae
Latin for Horn of Gaul or Corner of France.
This name
CornwallisRefers to an inhabitant of the horn-shaped peninsula of Brittany or Cornwall.
also spelled
Cornwall
Cornwalis
Cornwalles
Cornwaleys
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Potier de Courcy, Pol, Nobiliaire et armorial de Bretagne, 1890
Kerviler, René, Répertoire général de bio-bibliographie bretonne, 1886
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E (Familles et seigneuries)
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
