Map of France showing where the Friedt arms are recorded
The Friedt arms were recorded in France, c. 1775.
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 XVI of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XVI of France
1774–1791
Reigning in France when the Friedt 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 Friedt Family in France
The surname Friedt is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Brittany region in France, where records confirm the family was established by at least 1775. The name itself likely originated from Germanic linguistic influences, often associated with the Old High German word for peace, which suggests that early ancestors may have been known for their role as mediators or peaceful community members. During the late 18th century, families in this part of France were typically tied to the land and local trade, living through a period of significant social transition as the country moved toward the French Revolution. By maintaining a presence in Brittany during this era, the Friedt family became part of a unique cultural intersection where regional Breton traditions blended with the broader movements of European history. This early documentation provides a clear starting point for tracing the family’s journey through the changing political and social structures of 18th-century France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fried
Derived from the Germanic word for peace or protection.
This name
FriedtA surname of Germanic origin indicating a peaceful person or a protector.
also spelled
Fruyet
Fruyett
Fruietz
Fruay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Morbihan, État civil et registres paroissiaux, 1775
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1775
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
