Map of France showing where the France arms are recorded
The France arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
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 France 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 France.
Origin & History of the France Family in France
The family name France emerged as a descriptive identifier in medieval society, often used to distinguish individuals who had traveled from the French heartland or who held ties to the royal administration. By the mid-seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the province of Bretagne. Living in this region during the 1660s meant the family navigated a unique cultural landscape, as Bretagne maintained a distinct identity and legal system separate from the rest of the kingdom. During this era, the family likely participated in the local agricultural or maritime economy that defined the Breton coast. Their presence in the region by 1663 suggests they were part of the stable population that helped shape the social fabric of western France during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a mount in base [?]”
ChesterBostock Hall · Chester, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the France arms are recorded
The France arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the France arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Chester.
Origin & History of the France Family in England
The surname France originated as a descriptive name, likely used to identify individuals who had traveled from the country of France or who maintained strong commercial or cultural ties to the region. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Chester, a historic hub in Northwest England that served as a vital gateway for trade and travel between England and Ireland. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the France family were active residents in this area during a period of significant urban growth. As the family settled into the local community, they integrated into the social and economic life of the city, transitioning from newcomers to established inhabitants. This migration pattern reflects the broader movement of people across the English Channel during the medieval and early modern periods, which helped shape the diverse landscape of English surnames.
France Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Francia
Land of the Franks, derived from the Germanic tribe name Frank.
This name
FranceA locative surname originally denoting a person who came from the country of France.
also spelled
Franc
Frans
Fraunce
Fraunces
Related arms
Francvariant spelling
Frauncesvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Gautier, Alain, Histoire de la Bretagne, 2010
Le Gall, Jean-Marie, Les Français et la France, 2005
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
