A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Estève family of France.
Reg. 4505 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur à une tête d'Isis d'or; au 2 de gu. à une étoile d'arg.; au 3 de gu. à un lévrier pass. et cont. d'arg., coll.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Estève Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Estève arms are recorded
The Estève arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Estève 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 Estève Family in France
The family name Estève is a variant of the name Étienne, which is the French form of Stephen. In the Occitan language of southern France, the name evolved into Estève, reflecting the regional linguistic traditions of that area. While the name has deep roots in the south, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne by 1663. During this period, families often moved across provinces for work, trade, or marriage, which explains how a name with southern origins became present in the northwest of France. By the mid-seventeenth century, these individuals were integrated into the local community, living their lives as part of the rural or urban populations of the Breton landscape. This transition shows how names traveled alongside people, eventually becoming a permanent part of the local history in their new home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Stephanus
Derived from the Greek word for crown or garland.
This name
EstèveA French patronymic surname originating from the given name Stephen, signifying one who is crowned.
also spelled
Estevee
Estevey
Estev
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
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
