A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cossu family of France.
Reg. 0474 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'azur au lion d'or, arm. et lamp. de gu.; au chef d'arg., ch. de deux étoiles d'azur.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1714
Where the Cossu Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Cossu arms are recorded
The Cossu arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1714.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Cossu 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 Cossu Family in France
The family name Cossu has deep roots that trace back to the rugged landscapes of the Mediterranean, particularly the island of Sardinia, where the name first emerged as a distinct identifier. While the name is famously tied to Italian heritage, historical records confirm that members of the family had migrated and established a presence in the Lorraine region of France by 1714. This movement was likely driven by the shifting borders and economic opportunities that defined the early eighteenth century in Europe. As these individuals settled into their new surroundings, they integrated into the local society while maintaining the unique identity associated with their ancestral name. The transition from a Mediterranean origin to the heart of northeastern France highlights the mobility of families during this era and the way surnames traveled alongside people as they sought new lives in different provinces.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Coxa
Latin term referring to the hip or the haunch.
This name
CossuA topographic or descriptive surname likely denoting someone with a prominent hip or a limping gait.
also spelled
Kossu
Cossue
Cossuh
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Meurthe-et-Moselle, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1714
Censier, Jean-Claude, Les migrations en Lorraine au XVIIIe siècle, 1985
Pellegrini, Giovan Battista, Nomi d'Italia: origine e significato dei nomi e cognomi, 1990
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
