A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dagger family of France.
Reg. 8569 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Fascé d'arg. et de gu. de quatre pièces. Cq. cour. C.: quatre pl. d'aut. d'arg.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Dagger Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Dagger arms are recorded
The Dagger 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 Dagger 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 Dagger Family in France
The family name Dagger has deep roots tied to the coastal region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, which was known for its distinct maritime culture and strong local traditions. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname, possibly referring to a person who worked as a maker of blades or someone known for a sharp and quick temperament. During the early eighteenth century, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit rural communities where surnames were passed down through generations to identify lineage and trade. As the family grew, they remained connected to the unique social landscape of the region, navigating the changes of the French countryside while maintaining their presence in local parish records and community life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dague
A short, pointed blade or weapon used for stabbing.
This name
DaggerAn occupational name for a maker or user of daggers.
also spelled
Daggere
Tagger
Daggerr
Dager
Related arms
Seggersimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
