A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hannett family of France.
Reg. 8414 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à un tau d'azur; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à un serpent d'or, cour. du même, ondoyant en bande Cq. cour. C.: le tau, la traverse entortillée du serpent. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Hannett Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Hannett arms are recorded
The Hannett 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 Hannett 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 Hannett Family in France
The family name Hannett carries a rich history rooted in the coastal region of Bretagne, France. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this area, which was known for its distinct cultural traditions and maritime connections. The name likely evolved from local linguistic roots, reflecting the way families were identified in small, tightly knit rural communities during the early eighteenth century. As residents of Bretagne, these early ancestors were part of a society deeply influenced by both land-based agriculture and the trade routes of the Atlantic coast. Over time, the family name served as a vital link to their regional identity, helping to preserve their heritage as they moved through the changing social landscapes of eighteenth-century France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Jehan
The Hebrew name Yohanan meaning God is gracious.
This name
HannettA diminutive form derived from John, signifying a little or young John.
also spelled
Hannett
Hannette
Hanet
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
Gautier, Hervé, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1992
Le Gall, Jean-Yves, Les noms de famille en Bretagne, 2005
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
cross symbolChristian faith and service
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
