Map of France showing where the Flecha arms are recorded
The Flecha arms were recorded in Maine, c. 1663.
Maine was quiet farming country in western France, held in small manors by families who stayed for generations. Nothing about it was grand, but steady landholding is exactly what puts a name in the registers.
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 Flecha 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 Maine.
Origin & History of the Flecha Family in France
The surname Flecha originates from the Spanish word for arrow, suggesting that the name was likely a descriptive nickname given to a skilled archer or a person known for their quick movement. While the name is deeply rooted in the Iberian Peninsula, its history took a fascinating turn in the seventeenth century when members of the family established a presence in the rugged landscape of Maine by 1663. During this era, Maine was a frontier territory shaped by intense colonial competition and the difficult task of building settlements in a harsh climate. The arrival of the Flecha family in this region highlights the mobility of early settlers who crossed oceans to find new opportunities in North America. These early ancestors helped establish the foundation for the family line in the New World while carrying a name that reflected a long history of craftsmanship and agility.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fletcha
A Latin term referring to a feathered projectile or arrow.
This name
FlechaAn occupational surname for a maker or seller of arrows.
also spelled
Flesche
Flesch
Flesh
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Banks, Charles Edward. History of York, Maine. 1931
Maine State Archives. York Deeds, 1642–1737
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
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
