Map of France showing where the Debarros arms are recorded
The Debarros arms were recorded in Vivarais, c. 1663.
Vivarais was rough upland country above the Rhone, poor and thinly settled. Its gentry held small estates for very long periods, and long tenure counted for more than wealth when arms were recorded.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Debarros 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 Vivarais.
Origin & History of the Debarros Family in France
The family name De Barros, often spelled Debarros in French records, finds its historical roots in the rugged landscape of the Vivarais region. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of this family were well-established residents within this mountainous area of southeastern France. The name itself is topographical in origin, typically derived from the Portuguese or Spanish word "barro," which refers to clay or muddy soil. It is likely that the family originally lived near a distinct clay-rich bank or a riverbed, which eventually became the identifier for their household. As the family grew, they integrated into the local social and agricultural life of the Vivarais, contributing to the development of the region throughout the seventeenth century. Their presence in these official documents suggests they were recognized members of the community who played a role in the local history of the province.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Barros
Derived from the Latin barra meaning a bar or barrier.
This name
DebarrosRefers to someone who lived near a barrier, gate, or a sandy ridge.
also spelled
Debarrez
de Bar
Barres
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Ardèche, Collection des registres paroissiaux et d'état civil (Vivarais)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Mazon, Albin, Histoire de Vivarais, 1880
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
