A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Exavier family of France.
Reg. 0654 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à trois bill. d'or; aux 2 et 3 d'or à une tête de More, tort. d'arg.”
NavarreNavarre, c. 1663
Where the Exavier Arms Were Recorded
Navarre
Map of France showing where the Exavier arms are recorded
The Exavier arms were recorded in Navarre, c. 1663.
Navarre was mountain country straddling the Pyrenees, with a strong class of small independent landholders. A great many households counted as gentry there, and each needed a shield 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 Exavier 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 Navarre.
Origin & History of the Exavier Family in France
The family name Exavier finds its deep historical roots in the Kingdom of Navarre, a region straddling the border of modern-day Spain and France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established within this mountainous territory. The name itself is closely linked to the Basque language and the local geography of the region. It is derived from the place name Xavier, which originates from the Basque words etxe berri, meaning new house. Families in this area often adopted the names of their ancestral homes or estates to identify their lineage. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric of Navarre, living through a period defined by shifting borders and strong regional traditions. Their presence in the seventeenth century reflects a long history of deep ties to the land and the unique cultural identity of the Basque people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Xavier
Derived from the Basque place name Etxeberria meaning new house.
This name
ExavierA French variant of a name signifying one who hails from a new house.
also spelled
Savier
Zavier
Exavier
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Caro Baroja, Julio. Los vascos. 1971
Jimeno Jurío, José María. Toponimia navarra. 1990
Archivo Real y General de Navarra. Sección de Procesos Judiciales. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
