A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ermer family of France.
Reg. 1367 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à neuf bes. d'or.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Ermer Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Ermer arms are recorded
The Ermer arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 Ermer 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Ermer Family in France
The family name Ermer traces its roots to the rugged landscapes of Bretagne, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During this period, the region was a distinct cultural hub where families often identified themselves through localized naming customs tied to their specific parish or trade. The name likely evolved from regional linguistic variations common in western France, reflecting a history deeply connected to the rural life and maritime traditions of the Breton peninsula. As these early ancestors navigated the social shifts of the seventeenth century, they helped establish a lineage that remained rooted in the local community for generations. By documenting their lives through parish registers and local administrative records, these early individuals left behind a clear trail of their existence in a region known for its strong sense of heritage and identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ermin
Derived from the Germanic element meaning whole, universal, or entire.
This name
ErmerA habitational or occupational name likely denoting someone from a place associated with the Ermin root.
also spelled
Ermarr
Ermer
Ermard
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales du Finistère, Collection de la série E (Familles et seigneuries)
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1993
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
