A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the de Peyster family of France.
Reg. 9805 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lambGentleness, patience and faith
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à un arbre terrassé de sin., accosté de deux brebis paissants et affr. d'arg.”
FranceNew-York, c. 1725
Where the de Peyster Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the de Peyster arms are recorded
The de Peyster arms were recorded in New-York, 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 de Peyster 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 de Peyster Family in France
The family name de Peyster traces its roots to the coastal region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the early 18th century, members of the family were well-established in this area, living among the rugged landscapes and distinct cultural traditions of the Breton people. The name itself suggests a connection to the local landscape or a specific occupation, as was common for surnames developing in rural French provinces during that era. While many families in Bretagne were focused on maritime trade or agriculture, the de Peysters maintained a presence that allowed them to integrate into the local social fabric. Their history reflects the broader movement of families across the French countryside, where they preserved their identity through generations before some eventually sought opportunities further abroad.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
pistor
Latin term meaning a miller or a baker.
This name
de PeysterDerived from a topographic location near a mill or a professional baker.
also spelled
Peyster
de Peistre
de Peystre
de Pister
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, 1725
Pottier, Jean, Histoire de la Bretagne et des Bretons, 1994
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions, 1725
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lambGentleness, patience and faith
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
lambGentleness, patience and faith
