A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Flagg family of France.
Reg. 1006 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti d'or et de sa.; au chev. de l'un en l'autre. C.: deux pattes d'ours au nat., passées en saut., et chargées d'une couronne de laurier de sin.”
FranceEtats-Unis, c. 1663
Where the Flagg Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Flagg arms are recorded
The Flagg arms were recorded in Etats-Unis, 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 Flagg 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 Flagg Family in France
The family name Flagg is believed to have roots in the northern regions of Europe, where it likely functioned as a descriptive term for individuals living near specific landmarks or wetlands. By the year 1663, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the province of Bretagne in France. During this period, the region was a distinct cultural hub where families often relied on agriculture and maritime trade to sustain their communities. As the family moved across borders and settled in new territories, the spelling of the name evolved to match the phonetic patterns of different languages. This migration allowed the family to integrate into various social structures while maintaining their distinct identity over several centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
flac
Old French term meaning flat or level ground.
This name
FlaggA topographic name for someone who lived on a flat piece of land.
also spelled
Flag
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
