Map of France showing where the Desselle arms are recorded
The Desselle arms were recorded in Gascogne, c. 1725.
Gascogne was south-western country of small estates and stubborn independence, long fought over by France and England. Its gentry were numerous and poor, and even a small holding was enough for a shield of one's own.
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 Desselle 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 Gascogne.
Origin & History of the Desselle Family in France
The family name Desselle finds its historical roots in the Gascogne region of southwestern France. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this area. The name likely evolved as a topographical descriptor, which was a common practice in rural French communities during the eighteenth century. Families in Gascogne often took names based on the specific features of the land they farmed or the small villages where they resided. Living in this part of France meant the family was part of a distinct cultural landscape known for its unique language and traditions. As the family grew, they remained connected to the agricultural life of the region before later generations began to migrate further afield. This early presence in Gascogne serves as the foundational chapter for the family history, marking their long-standing ties to the local community and the rural traditions of the French countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
selle
Derived from the Old French word for a saddle or seat.
This name
DesselleRefers to a person who lived near a saddle-shaped hill or a maker of saddles.
also spelled
Desolle
Dessol
Desol
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales des Landes, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Boudet, Marcellin, Études historiques sur la province de Gascogne, 1894
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
