Map of France showing where the Fernan arms are recorded
The Fernan arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Fernan 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 Fernan Family in France
The family name Fernan traces its roots to the rugged landscape of Bretagne, where members of the lineage were firmly established by the year 1725. During this period, the region was defined by a strong sense of local identity and a deep connection to the land. Families like the Fernans often lived in small rural parishes where they worked as farmers or skilled tradespeople. Life in eighteenth-century Bretagne was shaped by the influence of the Catholic Church and the strict social structures of the time. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of the province, participating in the daily traditions and cultural customs that made this corner of France unique. While the specific origins of the name may be linked to older linguistic roots in the region, the documented presence of the Fernans in 1725 highlights their long-standing history as part of the Breton community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ferdinand
Derived from Germanic elements meaning brave or bold journey.
This name
FernanA French patronymic surname signifying descent from a person named Ferdinand.
also spelled
Fernianie
Ferniano
Verniani
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B, Fonds de la juridiction de Bretagne
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1993
Le Goff, Jacques, La Bretagne et les Bretons, 1989
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
