Map of France showing where the Forhan arms are recorded
The Forhan arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 Forhan 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Forhan Family in France
The family name Forhan traces its roots to the coastal region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this rugged landscape. The name likely evolved from the local Breton language, which was the primary tongue spoken by the common people in that area during the seventeenth century. Families in this region often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where they worked as farmers or maritime laborers. Because Bretagne was a distinct province with its own unique cultural identity, the Forhan family was shaped by the traditions and social structures of this isolated peninsula. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of their heritage as they navigated the challenges of life in a province known for its strong connection to the sea and its deep-rooted local history.
Forhan Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Forgeron
A person who works with metal at a forge.
This name
ForhanAn occupational surname referring to a blacksmith or ironworker.
also spelled
Fourea
Foureau
Fooran
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Chédeville, André and Guillotel, Hubert, La Bretagne des saints et des rois : Ve-Xe siècle, 1984
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
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