A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cristobal family of France.
lionCourage, strength and royaltyJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur au lion de gu.”
The Cristobal arms were recorded in Toulouse, c. 1663.
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.
Reigning in France when the Cristobal arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Cristobal traces its roots to the Greek name Christophoros, which translates to "bearer of Christ." Over many centuries, this name spread across Europe as a popular choice for both given names and surnames due to its strong religious significance. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the city of Toulouse, France. During this period, Toulouse was a major center for trade and culture in the Languedoc region. Families living there often played active roles in the local economy, working as merchants, artisans, or officials within the city’s administrative structures. As the name moved through different regions, it adapted to local languages, eventually solidifying into the form recognized today. The presence of the family in Toulouse during the seventeenth century suggests they were part of a stable and settled community during a time of significant growth for the city.
Derived from Greek words meaning Christ and to bear or carry.
