A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Flamand family of France.
Reg. 8521 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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'or à la bande de gu., acc. en chef d'un bouclier, br. sur une pique en bande et sommé d'une étoile, le tout d'azur; aux 2 et 3 de gu. à trois étoiles d'or.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Flamand Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Flamand arms are recorded
The Flamand 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 Flamand 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 Flamand Family in France
The surname Flamand serves as a historical descriptor that identifies an individual’s geographic origins rather than a specific family lineage. In the French language, the name translates literally to "Flemish," indicating that the earliest bearers were likely migrants or traders who moved from the region of Flanders into other parts of France. By the year 1725, records confirm that families carrying this name had established themselves in the province of Bretagne. During this era, the name often functioned as a nickname to distinguish newcomers from the local population. As these families settled into Breton life, the name transitioned from a simple geographic label into a permanent hereditary surname passed down through generations. This pattern of naming was common in pre-industrial Europe, where a person's place of birth or ancestral home frequently became their primary identifier in official parish and tax records.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Flamingus
Latin term referring to a person from the region of Flanders.
This name
FlamandAn ethnonym used to identify individuals who originated from the Flemish region.
also spelled
Flamant
Flammand
Flaman
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
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
