A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Freck family of France.
Reg. 0716 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bombOne who has faced a great siege
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ec.: au 1 de sin. au lion naiss. et reg. d'arg.; aux 2 et 3 d'arg. à deux bandes de gu.; au 4 d'azur à une pile de boulets (1, 2, 3 et 4) d'or, accostée de deux grenades du même, allumées de gu., le tout soutenu d'une terrasse de sin. et acc. de trois étoiles d'arg., rangées en chef.”
Francec. 1725
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 France showing where the Freck arms are recorded
The Freck arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Freck 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 Freck Family in France
The surname Freck has roots that trace back to the coastal region of Bretagne in France, where records confirm the family was established by 1725. During this period, the name was closely tied to the rural landscapes and maritime culture of the province. Families in this area often lived in small, tight-knit communities where names were influenced by local dialects and the specific trades people practiced. While the name is relatively rare, its presence in 18th-century Bretagne suggests that early members were likely involved in the agricultural or fishing industries that defined the regional economy. Over time, the family name moved alongside the shifting borders and social changes of the era, reflecting the broader history of the people living in northwestern France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fricare
Latin verb meaning to rub or to chafe.
This name
FreckA descriptive nickname for a person with a freckled complexion or skin marked by spots.
also spelled
Fierecke
Fierec
Feereck
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
Archives départementales du Finistère, Collection de la série B (Archives judiciaires d'Ancien Régime)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.