A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Frano family of France.
Reg. 3595 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à une licorne assise d'arg. (quelques membres de cette famille ont porté la licorne saillante.) Cq. cour. C.: un vol à l'antique, de gu. et d'arg. S.: deux lions d'or, arm. et lamp. de gu. D.: TAIRE OU BIEN DIRE. Manteau de pourpre, doublé d'herm., frangé et houppé d'or, sommé de la couronne de prince du St.-Empire.”
Francec. 1687
Where the Frano Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Frano arms are recorded
The Frano arms were recorded in France, c. 1687.
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 Frano 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 Frano Family in France
The family name Frano traces its roots back to the rugged landscapes of Brittany during the late seventeenth century. By 1687, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this region of northwestern France. The name itself is likely a variation of the ancient name Francus, which was commonly used to denote a person of Frankish origin or a free man. During this period, families in Brittany often lived in close-knit rural communities where they relied on agriculture and maritime trade to sustain their households. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the unique linguistic and cultural traditions that define the Breton identity. Their presence in the region during the late 1600s places them in a time of significant transition for France, as the kingdom expanded its influence over its provinces while maintaining the distinct customs of the local people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Francus
A Latin term referring to a member of the Frankish tribe.
This name
FranoA derivative of the name Francis, signifying a free man or one from France.
also spelled
Frano
Franeaux
Franeault
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, 1687
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1992
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses du Finistère, 1990
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
