Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à six bill. d'arg.; au chef du premier, ch. de trois targes du sec.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Escue family of France.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à six bill. d'arg.; au chef du premier, ch. de trois targes du sec.”

The Escue arms were recorded in France, c. 1680.
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.
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.
The family name Escue finds its historical roots in the coastal region of Bretagne, France, during the late 17th century. Records from 1680 indicate that members of the family were established residents within this rugged province, which was known for its distinct Celtic heritage and maritime traditions. During this period, the name likely evolved from local linguistic variations common to the Breton language and the surrounding French dialects. Families in this region often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where they worked as farmers or artisans. As the family grew, some members eventually moved away from the coast to seek new opportunities, carrying the name across borders and eventually into the broader Atlantic world. This transition from a localized Breton identity to a broader international presence marks the beginning of the family's long history.
Old French term for a shield or protective covering.
