A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crofts family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2923 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bullValour and generosity
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 rencontres de boeuf de sa. C.: un rencontre de boeuf de sa., accorné d'or.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Crofts Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Crofts arms are recorded
The Crofts arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Crofts 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 Crofts Family in France
The family name Crofts carries a history deeply rooted in the landscape of northwestern France, particularly within the region of Bretagne. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, living among a population defined by strong maritime traditions and a distinct regional culture. The name itself likely originated as a topographical descriptor, referring to individuals who lived near small, enclosed agricultural fields known as crofts. As these early family members settled in Bretagne, they became part of a society that balanced farming with the coastal economy. Their presence in the region during the early eighteenth century suggests that the family was integrated into the local parish life and the rural social structures of the time. This period was one of significant stability for families in the province, allowing the Crofts name to take root and persist within the local community for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Lozengy ar. and sa”
CheshireCheshire, c. 1620
Where the Crofts Arms Were Recorded
Cheshire
Map of England showing where the Crofts arms are recorded
The Crofts arms were recorded in Cheshire, c. 1620.
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 Crofts 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 Cheshire.
Origin & History of the Crofts Family in England
The surname Crofts is a topographical name, which means it was originally given to people based on the land where they lived. In Old English, the word "croft" referred to a small, enclosed field or a piece of arable land located near a house. Families who took this name were likely small-scale farmers or laborers who worked these specific plots of land. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Cheshire. Records from 1620 show members of the Crofts family living in this region, where they were integrated into the local agricultural and social life of the English countryside. As the population moved and grew, the name spread from these rural beginnings to become a recognized part of the regional history of Northwest England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
croft
An Old English term for a small enclosed field or farm.
This name
CroftsA topographic name for someone who lived on or worked a small enclosed piece of land.
also spelled
Krofts
Croftes
Related arms
Croftesvariant spelling
Baldwinrecorded with Crofts, same area
Croftrecorded with Crofts, same area
Whaleyrecorded with Crofts, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E (Familles et seigneuries)
Galliou, Patrick, Le monde celtique, 1989
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bullValour and generosity
bullValour and generosity
