A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Costes family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5045 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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, cour. du même; à la fasce d'arg., ch. d'une rose de gu., br. sur le tout.”
LanguedocLanguedoc, c. 1663
Where the Costes Arms Were Recorded
Languedoc
Map of France showing where the Costes arms are recorded
The Costes 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 Costes 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 Costes Family in France
The surname Costes is deeply rooted in the geography of southern France, specifically within the Languedoc region. The name is derived from the Old Occitan word "costa," which refers to a hillside or a slope. This suggests that the earliest families bearing this name were likely identified by their physical location, perhaps living on the side of a valley or a prominent ridge. By the year 1663, records confirm that families named Costes were well-established in this area, living as part of the local rural society. During this period, the region was characterized by its distinct language and customs, which were separate from the northern parts of France. As these families grew, they became integrated into the agricultural and social fabric of the Languedoc landscape, passing their name down through generations as a marker of their ancestral home on the hillsides.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
vairProtection, and the winter fur
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. two bars vair in chief as many mullets or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Costes Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Costes arms are recorded
The Costes arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Costes arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Costes Family in England
The history of the Costes family in England is rooted in the northern city of York, where records confirm their presence as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious transition, and families like the Costes often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or occupational descriptions common to Northern England, reflecting the movement of people across the countryside during the seventeenth century. As the family established themselves in the city, they became part of the local social fabric, navigating the challenges of a changing political landscape. By settling in York, the early members of the Costes family contributed to the long-standing history of a city that served as a vital hub for northern English life for many generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Costa
Latin term referring to a rib, side, or slope of land.
This name
CostesA topographic name for someone who lived on a hillside or riverbank.
also spelled
Kostes
Coste
Kost
Costis
Related arms
Costevariant spelling
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
