A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Falkowski family of France.
Reg. 7188 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à un faucon au nat., bq. m. et coll. d'or, posé sur un croiss. figuré et versé du même. Cq. cour. C.: le faucon ess. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Falkowski Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Falkowski arms are recorded
The Falkowski 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 Falkowski 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 Falkowski Family in France
The family name Falkowski is traditionally associated with the Slavic regions of Eastern Europe, where it functioned as a topographic or descriptive surname derived from the word for falcon. The presence of the family in the Bretagne region of France by 1663 suggests a fascinating history of migration during the seventeenth century. At that time, many individuals from Central and Eastern Europe traveled westward to serve as soldiers, merchants, or skilled laborers in the French provinces. Settling in a coastal area like Bretagne would have required these early family members to adapt to a new language and a distinct maritime culture while maintaining their unique ancestral identity. This transition marks a significant chapter in the family narrative, highlighting their ability to integrate into a new society while preserving the roots of their name across vast geographical distances.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Falk
A bird of prey known as a falcon.
This name
FalkowskiA habitational surname denoting someone who originated from a place associated with falcons.
also spelled
Falkowski
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dictionnaire historique des noms de famille, Marie-Thérèse Morlet, 1991
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série B, Fonds de la juridiction de Brest, 1663
Les noms de famille en France, Albert Dauzat, 1949
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
