A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Forgue family of France.
Reg. 6758 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'arg. à deux lions affr. de sa.; au 2 d'arg. à trois pals d'azur.”
GascogneGascogne, c. 1725
Where the Forgue Arms Were Recorded
Gascogne
Map of France showing where the Forgue arms are recorded
The Forgue arms were recorded in Gascogne, c. 1725.
Gascogne was south-western country of small estates and stubborn independence, long fought over by France and England. Its gentry were numerous and poor, and even a small holding was enough for a shield of one's own.
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 Forgue 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 Gascogne.
Origin & History of the Forgue Family in France
The family name Forgue finds its historical roots in the Gascogne region of southwestern France. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, which was known for its distinct culture and strong ties to the land. The name itself is thought to be topographical, likely derived from the Old Occitan word for a forge or an ironworks. This suggests that the earliest ancestors bearing this name were skilled craftsmen who played a vital role in the local economy by shaping metal for agricultural tools or building materials. As they lived in a rural society, these early Forgue families were deeply connected to the rhythms of village life and the specific traditions of the Gascon people. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of their identity as they contributed to the growth and development of their community through their trade and daily labor.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fabrica
Latin term referring to a workshop or the act of crafting.
This name
ForgueAn occupational surname for a blacksmith or someone who worked in a forge.
also spelled
Forgue de Pomarede
Forgues de Pomarede
Forg de la de Pomared
Forgue
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 des Landes, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Nègre, Ernest. Toponymie générale de la France, 1990
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
