Map of France showing where the Culbert arms are recorded
The Culbert arms were recorded in France, c. 1723.
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 Culbert 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 Culbert Family in France
The family name Culbert has deep roots that trace back to the region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the early 18th century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this coastal area. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older Germanic or Old French personal names that were common during the medieval period. Families in Bretagne during this time often lived in close-knit agricultural or maritime communities where they played active roles in local parish life. As the family grew, they became part of the distinct cultural landscape of the region, which is known for its unique language and long history of independence. The presence of the Culbert name in 1723 suggests that the family was already a settled part of the local population, likely contributing to the trade and social traditions that defined life in the French countryside during the reign of King Louis XV.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Colbert
Derived from the Germanic elements meaning bright or famous and brilliant.
This name
CulbertA surname of Germanic origin signifying a person who is famously bright or brilliant.
also spelled
Colber
Colberd
Colbart
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
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