Map of France showing where the Coulam arms are recorded
The Coulam arms were recorded in Auvergne, c. 1663.
Auvergne was mountain country in the middle of France, poor in money but thick with old families. Estates were small and held for a very long time, and long tenure counted for more than wealth when it came to 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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Coulam 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 Auvergne.
Origin & History of the Coulam Family in France
The surname Coulam is rooted in the historical landscape of the Auvergne region in central France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this mountainous area. The name likely originated as a topographical or locational descriptor, which was common practice for families living near specific natural landmarks or small settlements during the seventeenth century. Life in Auvergne during this period was defined by the rugged volcanic terrain and a strong reliance on local agriculture and trade. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the province, navigating the challenges of rural French life under the reign of King Louis XIV. While the exact linguistic evolution of the name remains a subject of study, its presence in regional parish registers from the mid-1600s serves as a testament to the family's long-standing connection to this distinct part of France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Col
A diminutive form of the name Nicholas meaning victory of the people.
This name
CoulamA locative or patronymic surname derived from the name Nicholas indicating descendant of Col.
also spelled
Coulome
Coulomme
Coulon
Koolom
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Puy-de-Dôme, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Fournier, Gabriel, Le peuplement rural en Basse-Auvergne durant le haut Moyen Âge, 1962
Pourtier, Roland, Auvergne, 1988
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eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
