A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Corps family of France.
Reg. 1295 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. au chev. d'arg., acc. en chef de deux étoiles d'or; à la champagne d'azur, ch. d'un soleil d'or.”
FranceParis, c. 1663
Where the Corps Arms Were Recorded
Paris
Map of France showing where the Corps arms are recorded
The Corps arms were recorded in Paris, c. 1663.
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 Corps 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 Corps Family in France
The family name Corps carries a history rooted in the vibrant atmosphere of seventeenth-century France. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in Paris by 1663, a time when the city was undergoing significant social and architectural expansion under the rule of King Louis XIV. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term or a nickname, as the French word "corps" refers to a body or a group of people. In the context of the era, such a name might have been used to identify someone who served in a specific guild, a military unit, or a professional organization. By settling in Paris during this period, the family became part of the urban fabric of a capital city that was rapidly becoming the cultural center of Europe. Their presence in the city suggests they were likely involved in the trades or administrative roles that supported the growing Parisian economy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Corpus
Latin term meaning body or physical form.
This name
CorpsRefers to a person who lived near a specific body or physical structure.
also spelled
Corpe
Corpss
Corpse
Cor
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Nationales, Minutier central des notaires de Paris, Series MC/ET/LXXIII
Boudon, Françoise, Système et forme de l'urbanisme parisien, 1985
Foisil, Madeleine, La vie quotidienne à Paris au temps de Louis XIV, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.