A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Erba family of France.
Reg. 7712 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
VairMeans: Protection
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 d'arg. à une tour de gu., sur une terrasse de sin., et au chef d'or, ch. d'une aigle de sa., cour. d'or; le tout entouré d'une bord. comp. d'arg. et de gu.; au II. vairé d'arg. et d'azur de quatre traits, au chef de gu. ch. d'un lion léopardé d'arg., surm. d'un autre chef d'or ch. d'une aigle de sa., bq. et m. d'or. C.: une aigle iss. de sa., cour. d'or. Manteau de gu., frangé d'or, doublé d'herm., sommé d'une couronne princière.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Erba Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Erba arms are recorded
The Erba 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 Erba 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 Erba Family in France
The name Erba carries a rich history that is deeply rooted in the linguistic traditions of Europe. While the name is often associated with Italian regions, its presence in Bretagne by 1725 suggests a fascinating migration pattern of families moving across borders for trade, military service, or agricultural opportunities. In the context of the eighteenth century, families with this name were often part of the growing merchant or artisan classes that helped shape the local economy of western France. The name itself is thought to derive from the Latin word for grass or vegetation, which historically served as a descriptive nickname for people who lived near meadows or worked as farmers. By establishing themselves in Bretagne, these early family members became part of the unique cultural landscape of the region, blending their ancestral identity with the traditions of their new home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Herba
Latin term referring to grass, vegetation, or green plants.
This name
ErbaA topographic name for someone who lived near a grassy area or a meadow.
also spelled
Erba
Odescalchi
Erba Odeskalchi
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil. 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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
