Map of France showing where the Embree arms are recorded
The Embree arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Embree 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 Embree Family in France
The family name Embree has deep roots that trace back to the coastal region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, which was known for its distinct culture and maritime traditions. The name likely evolved from local linguistic patterns as families moved through the rural landscapes of the seventeenth century. Over time, individuals carrying this name migrated from these French provinces to other parts of the world, including North America, where they adapted to new environments while keeping their ancestral identity. This journey reflects the broader patterns of movement that defined many families during the early modern period as they sought new opportunities across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Amalberga
Derived from the Germanic elements meaning work and fortress or protection.
This name
EmbreeA locational surname originating from the French region of Ambrée, signifying a fortified settlement.
also spelled
Embarrer
Embarere
Embarer
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
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.
swordJustice, and military honour
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
swordJustice, and military honour
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
