A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Eriksen family of France.
Reg. 9362 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
proboscides trunksGreat strength and long memory
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“un lévrier d'arg., coll. d'or, assis de front ; entre deux prob., coupées alt. de gu. et d'arg.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Eriksen Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Eriksen arms are recorded
The Eriksen 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 Eriksen 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 Eriksen Family in France
The name Eriksen is a classic patronymic surname, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of Erik. While the name is most commonly associated with Scandinavian roots, the presence of the family in the Brittany region of France by 1725 suggests a fascinating history of migration and adaptation. During the early eighteenth century, families often moved across borders for work in maritime trade or military service, which likely brought ancestors with this name to the coastal towns of western France. As they settled into these new communities, the family name remained a vital link to their northern heritage even as they integrated into the local culture. Over time, the name evolved from a simple description of parentage into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations. This transition highlights how names served as both a record of family lineage and a testament to the movement of people across Europe during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Erik
Old Norse name meaning sole ruler or eternal ruler.
This name
EriksenPatronymic surname meaning son of Erik, denoting ancestral descent from a leader.
also spelled
Erichsen
Erickson
Erikson
Related arms
Erichsenvariant spelling
Erichsonvariant spelling
Ericsonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Hanks, Patrick and Hodges, Flavia. A Dictionary of Surnames. 1988
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
proboscides trunksGreat strength and long memory
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
proboscides trunksGreat strength and long memory
