A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Frankfort family of France.
Reg. 9415 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au chev., acc. en chef de deux étoiles et en p. d'un lion, le tout d'or, le lion arm. et lamp. de gu.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Frankfort Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Frankfort arms are recorded
The Frankfort 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 Frankfort 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 Frankfort Family in France
The family name Frankfort carries a history deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of seventeenth-century France. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne, a coastal area known for its distinct traditions and maritime influence. During this period, families often adopted names that reflected their geographic origins or their movement between major trade centers. The name itself suggests a historical connection to the city of Frankfurt, implying that early ancestors may have migrated from the Rhineland to western France for economic or religious reasons. As these individuals settled in Bretagne, they integrated into the local society while maintaining a surname that served as a link to their ancestral roots. This transition highlights the mobility of families in early modern Europe and the way names evolved as people moved across borders to build new lives.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Francus and Furt
A free man and a river crossing or ford.
This name
FrankfortA place name referring to a ford used by the Franks.
also spelled
Frankfort
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Bretagne)
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Poussou, Jean-Pierre, Les mouvements migratoires en France et à partir de la France, 1997
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
