A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cres family of France.
Reg. 0584 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 à trois croiss. d'arg.; et une ancre d'or, br. sur le croiss. en p.; au chef de gu., semé d'étoiles d'arg.”
FranceParis, c. 1805
Where the Cres Arms Were Recorded
Paris
Map of France showing where the Cres arms are recorded
The Cres arms were recorded in Paris, c. 1805.
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.
Napoleon
Sovereign of the period
Napoleon
1804–1814
Reigning in France when the Cres 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 Cres Family in France
The family name Cres has roots that trace back to the vibrant streets of Paris during the early nineteenth century. By 1805, records confirm that members of the family were established residents of the city, living through a period of immense political and social change in France. The name itself is thought to be a topographical surname, which was a common way for families to identify themselves based on the local landscape or a specific landmark near their home. In the French language, the word "cres" is an old variation related to the term for a ridge or a stony hill. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry this name likely lived near a prominent rise in the land or a rocky outcrop. As these individuals moved into the urban environment of Paris, they carried this connection to the countryside with them, cementing the name as a permanent part of the city’s historical fabric.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
crescere
Latin verb meaning to grow, increase, or spring forth.
This name
CresA topographic name for someone living near a growth of trees or a hill.
also spelled
Cres
Dekray
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
Archives de Paris, État civil reconstitué
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
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
