A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fougère family of France.
Reg. 8738 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ermineDignity and rank
branchPeace, and new growth
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au chev. d'arg., acc. en p. d'une branche de fougère d'or; au chef du même, ch. de sept mouch. d'herm. de sin.”
ChampagneChampagne, c. 1663
Where the Fougère Arms Were Recorded
Champagne
Map of France showing where the Fougère arms are recorded
The Fougère arms were recorded in Champagne, c. 1663.
Champagne made its money at its great trade fairs, where merchants from across Europe met. Wealth of that kind bought land, and land brought arms, so the region carries a lot of names.
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 Fougère 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 Champagne.
Origin & History of the Fougère Family in France
The surname Fougère is a classic example of a topographic name, which was a common way to identify families in medieval France. The word itself translates to "fern" in French, suggesting that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent patch of ferns or a wooded area where these plants grew in abundance. By the year 1663, historical records confirm that members of the Fougère family were firmly established in the Champagne region. During this era, families in Champagne were often deeply connected to the local landscape, as the economy of the province relied heavily on agriculture and the early development of its famous viticulture. Living in this northeastern part of France meant the family was positioned in a historically significant area that served as a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of their roots in the region, reflecting a long-standing connection to the land and the local community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Filix
Latin term for a fern plant.
This name
FougèreA topographic name for someone who lived in a place where ferns grew abundantly.
also spelled
Foojair
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
Archives départementales de la Marne. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ermineDignity and rank
branchPeace, and new growth
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ermineDignity and rank
branchPeace, and new growth
