A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Courtenay family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3762 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'or à trois tourt. de gu., acc. d'un lambel d'azur en chef. Cq. cour. C.: sept. pl. d'aut. d'arg.”
Francec. 1525
Where the Courtenay Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Courtenay arms are recorded
The Courtenay arms were recorded in France, c. 1525.
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.
Francis I of France
Sovereign of the period
Francis I of France
1515–1547
Reigning in France when the Courtenay 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 Courtenay Family in France
The history of the Courtenay name in France begins with a powerful noble family that rose to prominence during the Middle Ages. The name originates from the town of Courtenay in the Gâtinais region, where the family established a significant castle and lordship. Over several centuries, members of this lineage became deeply involved in the complex politics of the French monarchy and the Crusades. By the time the family appeared in the records of Brittany in 1525, they had already cemented their reputation as a prominent house with deep roots in the French aristocracy. Their movement into different regions of France often followed the patterns of royal service and marriage alliances, which allowed them to maintain their status and influence across generations. This long history reflects the broader evolution of noble families who helped shape the administrative and social landscape of early modern France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Or, three torteaux, in chief a label of three points az”
DevonDevon, c. 1485
Where the Courtenay Arms Were Recorded
Devon
Map of England showing where the Courtenay arms are recorded
The Courtenay arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1485.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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.
Richard III of England
Sovereign of the period
Richard III of England
1483–1485
Reigning in France when the Courtenay 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Courtenay Family in England
The Courtenay family established a powerful presence in England by rooting themselves deeply in the landscape of Devon. While the family originally descended from French nobility, they became synonymous with the West Country after settling at Tiverton Castle and Powderham Castle. By the time the Wars of the Roses concluded in 1485, the Courtenays had already secured a reputation as one of the most influential dynasties in the region. They frequently served as loyal supporters of the monarchy, which allowed them to accumulate vast estates and significant political authority. Their long tenure in Devon transformed them from foreign arrivals into the primary landowners and local leaders of the area. This deep connection to the soil and the local community helped the name survive through centuries of political upheaval and social change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Curtenus
A Latinized form derived from the word for short or curtailed.
This name
CourtenayRefers to a person from the place of the short or small estate.
also spelled
Courtenai
Kortne
Courtney
Courteney
Curtenay
Related arms
Courteneyvariant spelling
Courtneyvariant spelling
Berryrecorded with Courtenay, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bouchard, Constance Brittain, Sword, Miter, and Cloister: Nobility and the Church in Burgundy, 980-1198, 1987
Du Boulay, F.R.H., The Lordship of Canterbury: An Essay on Medieval Society, 1966
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Fonds de la famille de Courtenay (série E)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
