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 trois étoiles d'or; au chef de gu., ch. d'un lion léopardé d'arg.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Estelle 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 trois étoiles d'or; au chef de gu., ch. d'un lion léopardé d'arg.”
The Estelle arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement is what fills a register.
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 Estelle finds its deep historical roots in the sun-drenched region of Provence, France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents within this area. The name itself is derived from the Old Occitan word for a star, which suggests that the original family members may have been associated with the night sky or perhaps lived near a landmark known by that name. During the seventeenth century, families in Provence often lived in close-knit agricultural communities where they contributed to the local economy through trade and land management. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social fabric of southern France, maintaining their presence in the region for generations. This long history reflects the broader movement of families who helped shape the unique cultural and linguistic identity of the Provençal countryside.
Latin word meaning a celestial body that shines in the night sky.
