A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Curzon family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9495 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
wolfReward from long service and hard work
parrotEloquence, and travel in distant lands
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'or à la fasce de sa., acc. de trois têtes de loup du même (Howe); aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à la bande de sa., ch. de trois perroquets d'or, bq., m. et coll. de gu. (Curzon). Deux cq., le 1 cour. C.: 1º cinq pl. d'aut. d'azur (Howe); 2º un perroquet de l'écu, ess. (Curzon). S.: à dextre un choucas au nat.; à sen. un basilic d'or, les ailes levées. D.: LET CURZON HOLDE WHAT CURZON HELDE.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Curzon Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Curzon arms are recorded
The Curzon 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 Curzon 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 Curzon Family in France
The history of the Curzon family in France is deeply rooted in the region of Brittany, where members of the family were firmly established by the early eighteenth century. The name itself is linked to the village of Notre-Dame-de-Courson in the Normandy region, which served as the ancestral cradle for the family before they expanded into neighboring territories. By 1725, records show that the family held a respected place within the local society of Brittany, often integrating into the provincial administration and the landed gentry. This period was a time of transition for many families in the region as they navigated the complex social structures of the Ancien Régime. The Curzons maintained their influence through careful management of their estates and participation in regional affairs. Their presence in Brittany highlights the common practice of families moving across French provinces to secure new opportunities and expand their influence during the eighteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
parrotEloquence, and travel in distant lands
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ar. on a bend sa. three popinjays or, collared gu., quartering, 1st, ar. on a bend cotised gu. three bezants, for BISSHOPP; 2nd, az. three swans' heads erased at the neck ar., for HEDGES; 3rd, per fesse or and gu. a pale counterchanged three Cornish choughs ppr., for TATE; 4th, gu. ten bezants, four, three, two, and one, a canton erm., for ZOUCHE”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Curzon Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Curzon arms are recorded
The Curzon arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Curzon 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 England.
Origin & History of the Curzon Family in England
The Curzon family name has deep roots in the history of England, tracing back to the arrival of Norman settlers who brought the name from the region of Notre-Dame-de-Courson in France. By the time the family established a presence in York during the early 17th century, they had already integrated into the social and economic fabric of the country for several generations. During the year 1620, records show that members of the Curzon family were active participants in the civic and professional life of York. This period was a time of significant transition in England, and families like the Curzons often held positions that allowed them to influence local trade and governance. Their move into northern urban centers reflected a broader trend of families seeking new opportunities in growing cities. By settling in York, the family secured their place in the regional history of the north, where they continued to develop their influence throughout the following centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
curtus
Latin term meaning short, curtailed, or stunted in physical stature.
This name
CurzonA locational surname derived from the French place name Notre-Dame-de-Courson, referring to a short or stunted person.
also spelled
Kurzon
Curson
Related arms
Cursonsimilar arms
Corzonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Poterie, Hyacinthe de la, Bulletin et mémoires de la Société d'émulation des Côtes-du-Nord, 1905
Archives départementales des Côtes-d'Armor, Série E, Fonds de la famille de Curzon
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B, Cours et juridictions
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
wolfReward from long service and hard work
parrotEloquence, and travel in distant lands
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
wolfReward from long service and hard work
parrotEloquence, and travel in distant lands
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
