Map of France showing where the Forinash arms are recorded
The Forinash arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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 Forinash 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 Languedoc.
Origin & History of the Forinash Family in France
The name Forinash traces its roots to the Languedoc region of southern France, where records confirm the family was established by 1663. During this period, the area was known for its unique cultural identity and its strong ties to the wine trade and agricultural development. Families in this part of France often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities that relied on local traditions and regional dialects. As the seventeenth century progressed, the social and religious landscape of Languedoc shifted significantly, which likely influenced the family’s decision to eventually seek new opportunities elsewhere. By examining the local parish registers and tax records of the time, historians can see that the Forinash name was part of a hardworking population that helped shape the local economy of the French countryside before the family line began its migration toward other parts of the world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fornax
Latin term referring to a furnace or an oven.
This name
ForinashLikely an occupational name for someone who worked with a furnace or kiln.
also spelled
Fornass
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Hérault, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Le Roy Ladurie, Emmanuel, Les Paysans de Languedoc, 1966
Archives nationales de France, Fonds de l'Intendance de Languedoc, Série C
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
